Calculate your front-end and back-end DTI ratios and see how lenders may view them.
Monthly payments
Conventional lenders often prefer 28/36; FHA allows up to about 31/43 and sometimes higher with compensating factors.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator?
Debt-to-income (DTI) is the share of your gross monthly income that goes to debt payments. Lenders use it to judge whether you can take on a new loan.
What debt-to-income means
Your debt-to-income ratio compares what you owe each month with what you earn each month. Lenders use it to judge whether you can take on a new payment. The front-end ratio counts only housing costs; the back-end ratio counts housing plus all other recurring debt payments.
What counts as debt
Include minimum credit card payments, car and student loan payments, personal loans, child support and the proposed housing payment. Leave out everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities and subscriptions, because lenders do not count them.
Improving the ratio
You can lower the ratio by paying off small loans, reducing card balances, or increasing income. See what price this supports with the house affordability calculator, and plan the payoff order with the debt payoff calculator.
How to use the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
- Enter your numbers. The inputs are Gross income ($), Mortgage or rent (+ tax, insurance, HOA), Auto loans / leases, Student loans, Credit card minimums. Use figures from a lender quote or your tax bill where you have them, and keep the term and rate realistic. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Choose your options. Pay period change how the result is worked out, and the form updates to match your choice.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Back-end DTI ratio, and the cards below show Rating, Front-end (housing) ratio, Total monthly debt. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Gross income ($) | 85,000 |
|---|---|
| Pay period | Yearly |
| Mortgage or rent (+ tax, insurance, HOA) | 1,800 |
| Auto loans / leases | 350 |
| Student loans | 250 |
| Credit card minimums | 100 |
Results
| Back-end DTI ratio | 35.29% |
|---|---|
| Rating | Good (≤ 36%) |
| Front-end (housing) ratio | 25.41% ✓ ≤ 28% |
| Total monthly debt | $2,500.00 |
| Gross monthly income | $7,083.33 |
| Max debt at 36% | $2,550.00 |
| Max debt at 43% | $3,045.83 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Back-end DTI ratio: 35.29%. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator reports Back-end DTI ratio, rating, front-end (housing) ratio, total monthly debt, gross monthly income, max debt at 36% and max debt at 43%. 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.
Tips for better results
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. The result is only as accurate as the numbers you enter and the formula shown above. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What DTI do lenders want?
Many prefer 36% or less, and most cap back-end DTI at 43% to 50% depending on the loan type.
What counts as debt in DTI?
Mortgage or rent, car loans, student loans, credit card minimums and other required monthly debt payments. Utilities and groceries do not count.
What is included in a monthly mortgage payment?
Principal and interest, plus property tax, homeowners insurance, PMI if your down payment is under 20%, and HOA fees if they apply.
How much house can I afford?
A common rule is to keep housing costs under about 28% of gross income and total debt under 36%. The House Affordability Calculator applies those limits to your numbers.
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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