What is a Debit in Accounting?

A debit is an accounting entry that either increases an asset or expense account, or decreases a liability or equity account. It is positioned to the left in an accounting entry. In journal entries, a debit may be indicated with the abbreviation “dr.” The reverse of a debit is a credit. In a journal entry, a debit is listed first, after which the credit is listed.

In double entry accounting, the total amount of debits entered in an accounting transaction should match the total amount of credits entered. The result is considered a balanced transaction. If there is an imbalance between the debit and credit totals, then financial statements cannot be produced.