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.