What type of account is unearned revenue classified as?

Unearned revenue is classified as a liability because it represents an obligation to deliver goods or services in the future. When a business receives payment before providing the corresponding service or product, it has a liability to fulfill that obligation.

This is essential in accounting, as recognizing unearned revenue as a liability ensures that income is not prematurely recognized in the financial statements. Instead of recording it as revenue— which would suggest the company has already earned that money— it remains on the balance sheet as a liability until the goods or services are provided. Once the service is provided or the product is delivered, that liability then gets reduced, and revenue is recognized accordingly. This treatment aligns with the revenue recognition principle, which dictates that revenue should only be recognized when it is earned, rather than when cash is received.