Standard Leads

The standard ECG has 12 leads. Six of the leads are considered “limb leads”
because they are placed on the arms and/or legs of the individual. The other six
leads are considered “precordial leads” because they are placed on the torso
(precordium). The six limb leads are called lead I, II, III, aVL, aVR and aVF. The
letter “a” stands for “augmented,” as these leads are calculated as a combination
of leads I, II and III. The six precordial leads are called leads V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and
V6. Below is a normal 12-lead ECG tracing. The different parts of the ECG will be
described in the following sections.

Augmented Leads
The potential difference between the reference electrode and an exploring
electrode constitutes the augmented lead. The three exploring electrodes are the
right arm (R), the left arm (L), and the left leg (F). The electrical signals for the
unipolar leads are "augmented" by disconnecting the exploring electrode from
the reference electrode. Since the reference electrode has zero potential,
the augmented potential represents only that measured by the three electrodes.
The three augmented leads are designated aVR, aVL, and aVF. An impulse
directed toward a limb lead records a positive or upright deflection in that lead.

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https://www.healio.com/cardiology/learn-the-heart/ecg-review/ecg-
interpretation-tutorial/introduction-to-the-ecg