Determining absolute configuration when the lowest priority group is not facing backwards I have learnt that the absolute configuration of a chiral centre can be labelled as (R) or (S) according to the Cahn–Ingold–Prelog rules, when the hydrogen (or other lowest priority group) is facing backwards, i.e. going into into the page, and the remaining groups decrease in priority clockwise or anticlockwise respectively. On the other hand, if the hydrogen is coming out of the page (i.e. as a wedge) we swap our answer from (R) to (S) or vice versa (to get the hydrogen going into the page).
But what do we do when the hydrogen is flat and not a wedge or dash, as is the case here?

The priorities are

Chlorine atom
Carbon chain on left (propyl group)
Carbon chain on right (methyl group)

This gives an anticlockwise or (S) configuration. But the answer is given as clockwise or (R) configuration.
Why is this the case? The hydrogen isn't coming out of the page. Is there something else that has to be done when the hydrogen is flat or in the plane of the page?  If I visualise it rotating to bring the H to the back, I still end up with an (S) configuration.
You had the right idea when you said &quot;if the hydrogen is coming out of the page (i.e. as a wedge) we swap our answer from R to S or vice versa (to get the hydrogen going into the page)&quot;.
The difficulty seems to have came with your manipulation of the drawing. The diagram you have implies that the hydrogen is coming out of the page towards us (i.e. anticlockwise = (R)).
You could also flip the entire molecule through by 180° to give you the chlorine pointing out of the page towards you.