where to place the leads

Last edited 06/2020

The limb leads may be remembered with the mnemonic "Ride Your Green Bike", which gives the leads from the right arm clockwise (as looking at the patient). Thus

  • Ride - Red - right arm
  • Your - Yellow - left arm
  • Green - Green - left leg
  • Bike - Black - right leg

The chest leads are placed as:

V1: the right sternal edge, 4th intercostal space

V2: left sternal edge, 4th intercostal space

V3: halfway between V2 and V4

V4: position of the apex beat - usually 5th intercostal space, mid-clavicular line

V5: anterior axillary line V6: mid-axillary line

Click here for more information and examples of correct - and incorrect - placement of leads