Remainder of page intentionally left blank

What does “this page intentionally left blank” mean?

“This page intentionally left blank” tells the reader that an empty page, or the empty rest of a page, is deliberate. Nothing is missing and nothing went wrong in printing. The phrase is a little paradoxical, since the page is no longer blank once it says so, but it does its job: it removes the doubt.

In contracts the usual form is “[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]”, placed where the text ends partway down a page. It often continues with “Signature page follows”.

Why are pages intentionally left blank?

• Printing layout: in double-sided printing, chapters and sections often start on a right-hand (odd) page. When a section ends on an odd page, the back of that sheet stays empty.
• Missing-page checks: in manuals, government documents and standardized tests, the note shows that the page was not lost or misprinted.
• Contracts: an empty space before the signature page could be used to add terms after signing. The note closes that gap.

How it is used in contracts

Contract text rarely ends exactly at the bottom of a page. If the last clause ends halfway down and the signatures are on the next page, the space in between is marked:

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]

The signature page itself then often carries a footer such as “[Signature page to Master Services Agreement]”, so a loose signed page can always be matched to the right contract. Together, the two notes make it hard to swap pages or slip extra text into a signed document.

Wording variations

How to add “intentionally left blank” in Word

1. Place the cursor where the text ends, or on the empty page.
2. Type the note, for example “[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]”.
3. Center it, and on a fully blank page, center it vertically too (Layout, Page Setup, Layout tab, Vertical alignment: Center).
4. Insert a page break (Ctrl + Enter) so the next section starts on a new page.
5. For sections that must start on a right-hand page, use Layout, Breaks, Odd Page.

Do digital contracts still need it?

Less often. When every party signs the same electronic document, the text and signature blocks are locked together, and nothing can be added between them after signing. In fynk, the signature blocks sit at the end of the contract itself, and any change after the first signature shows in the audit trail. The note still helps when a contract will be printed or exported to PDF and signed on paper, which is why many templates keep it.

Related clauses

• Signature page A signature page is the page at the end of a contract where the parties sign, usually with their printed names, titles and the date. In business contracts it often sits on its own page, introduced by the words "signature page follows", so it can be signed and exchanged separately.
• Counterparts A counterparts clause lets each party sign a separate, identical copy of a contract. Every signed copy counts as an original, and all of them together form one agreement, so the parties never have to sign the same piece of paper.
• In witness whereof The "In Witness Whereof" clause is a traditional concluding statement in legal documents indicating that the parties have read, understood, and agreed to the terms outlined in the contract. It is followed by the signatures of the parties involved, serving as formal acknowledgment of their consent and commitment.
• Execution date The execution date is the date on which a contract is signed by all parties, usually the date of the last signature. It can differ from the effective date, when the contract's obligations start, and is often written as "executed this ___ day of ___, 20__".

Frequently asked questions

• Why do books have blank pages?

  Books are printed in large sheets folded into groups of pages, and chapters usually start on a right-hand page. Blank pages fill the gaps so the layout works, which is why some say intentionally left blank.

• What does remainder of page intentionally left blank mean in a contract?

  It means the contract text has ended on that page and the empty space below is deliberate. It stops anyone from adding terms in the gap, and it usually tells the reader that the signature page follows.

• Is a contract invalid without this phrase?

  No law we know of requires the phrase. It is a safeguard. A contract is valid without it, but the note makes it harder to dispute what the parties actually signed.

• Should I use brackets around the phrase?

  It is common in contracts to put it in square brackets or parentheses, and often in italics or capitals, so it reads as a note rather than a contract term. Either style works if it is used consistently.