This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-OH group of donor with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is (R)-3-hydroxybutanoate:NAD+ oxidoreductase. Other names in common use include NAD+-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, hydroxybutyrate oxidoreductase, beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, D-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, D-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, beta-hydroxybutyric acid dehydrogenase, 3-D-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and beta-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase. This enzyme participates in synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies and butanoate metabolism.