What Do CR and DR Mean on a Bank Statement?
CR means credit (money in) and DR means debit (money out). Next to a transaction they show which way the money moved; next to your balance, CR means you're in credit and DR means you're overdrawn.
At a glance
- CR
- Credit — money in
- DR
- Debit — money out
- Balance shown CR
- In credit
- Balance shown DR
- Overdrawn
On individual transactions
A CR entry is money arriving — wages, a refund, a transfer from someone else. A DR entry is money leaving — a card payment, a Direct Debit, cash withdrawn.
Some banks skip the letters entirely and use separate "paid in" and "paid out" columns, or a minus sign, instead.
On your balance — the one that matters
This is where it catches people out. A balance marked DR is an overdrawn balance: you owe the bank that amount. A balance marked CR is your own money.
So "£420.00 DR" is not £420 in your account — it's £420 borrowed, and likely accruing charges.
Where the words come from
They're the accountant's terms: from a bank's point of view your deposit is a liability it owes you, which is why "credit" describes money you hold. You don't need the bookkeeping to read a statement — just remember CR = in, DR = out.
What if you don't recognise it?
Don't panic, but don't ignore it either. Work through this order:
- Check who else uses the card — a partner, or a child on a family account, is the most common explanation.
- Look for a matching subscription or order in the relevant app or account.
- Search the exact descriptor as it appears, including any * or reference number.
- Still unexplained? Contact your bank straight away. Report it as an unrecognised transaction — under UK rules you're generally protected against unauthorised payments, and your bank can freeze the card and investigate.
Never phone a number that appears in the transaction itself, and never share a one-time passcode with anyone who calls you — including someone claiming to be your bank.
Frequently asked questions
Does CR mean I have money or owe money?
CR means credit — money you have. A balance marked CR is your own funds; a balance marked DR means you're overdrawn.
What does DR mean next to my balance?
You're overdrawn by that amount — it's money owed to the bank, not money available. Overdraft interest or fees usually apply.
Still stuck? Start with our guide to what that charge on your bank statement is.
More statement entries explained: TFL TRAVEL CH · APPLE.COM/BILL · GOOGLE *TEMPORARY HOLD · AMZNMktplace / AMZ* · PAYPAL / PP* · Klarna · SQ * (Square) · CHG · FPI / FPO
General information only. If you don't recognise a payment, contact your bank — they can investigate and, where a payment was unauthorised, refund it.
