recto

Recto is a term used in book production, manuscript studies, and palaeography to denote the front or right-hand side of a single sheet or leaf. It derives from Latin rectus “straight, right” and is paired with verso, the back or left-hand side. In the standard convention of Western book design, a spread opened to reveal two facing pages places the recto on the right, while the verso appears on the left. In most printed books the recto page bears an odd number and the verso an even number, though practice varies with preliminary matter, starting signatures, and bindings.

In codicology and palaeography, a leaf has two sides: the recto is the front side of the leaf, usually the side that bears the initial writing or illumination, while the verso is the back side. When cataloging or describing manuscripts, researchers specify recto and verso to indicate the exact sides on which text is found, including marginalia or glosses that may appear only on one side.

In printmaking and graphic arts, recto and verso describe the front and back of a printed plate or sheet. The recto is typically the face intended for viewing, with the verso reserved for the opposite side or for verso-only printing.

See also Verso.