Check your housing and total debt against the 28/36 rule.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the 28/36 Rule Calculator?
Check your housing and total debt against the 28/36 rule. To use the 28/36 Rule Calculator, enter gross monthly income, other monthly debt; it returns max housing payment (28%), max total debt (36%), max housing after other debts, and shows them instantly as you type.
Where the 28/36 Rule Calculator fits
Check your housing and total debt against the 28/36 rule. The main figure it returns is the Max housing payment (28%), worked out from the values you enter.
It belongs with the other loans & debt tools. If you are comparing options or checking a result from another angle, try the Personal Loan Calculator, Car Refinance Calculator or the Debt Calculator.
How to use the 28/36 Rule Calculator
- Fill in the fields. You will need Gross monthly income ($), Other monthly debt ($). Take the rate and term from your loan offer. Fees and the rate type change the result. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Max housing payment (28%), and the cards below show Max total debt (36%), Max housing after other debts. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the 28/36 Rule Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Gross monthly income ($) | 7,000 |
|---|---|
| Other monthly debt ($) | 500 |
Results
| Max housing payment (28%) | $1,960.00 |
|---|---|
| Max total debt (36%) | $2,520.00 |
| Max housing after other debts | $1,960.00 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Max housing payment (28%): $1,960.00. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Gross monthly income ($) from 7,000 to 8,400 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max housing payment (28%) | $1,960.00 | $2,352.00 | +20% |
| Max total debt (36%) | $2,520.00 | $3,024.00 | +20% |
| Max housing after other debts | $1,960.00 | $2,352.00 | +20% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the 28/36 Rule Calculator reports Max housing payment (28%), max total debt (36%) and max housing after other debts. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Your lender’s offer is the final word: fees, rate type and rounding differ between lenders. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 28/36 rule?
A lender guideline: housing costs under 28% and total debts under 36% of gross monthly income.
Can I enter the term in years and months?
Yes. Enter years and months together, for example 6 years and 2 months.
How can I pay off a loan faster?
Pay more than the required amount, add extra yearly or one-time payments, or switch to biweekly payments. Make sure extra payments go to principal.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
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