Debit and credit effects by account type

Assets, expenses, and owner distributions increase with debits, decrease with credits, and normally have debit balances. Liabilities, equity, and revenue increase with credits, decrease with debits, and normally have credit balances. A contra account increases and normally carries a balance on the side opposite its related account. It decreases on the same side that increases the related account. For example, Accumulated Depreciation is a contra-asset with a normal credit balance.