Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
See your debt-to-income ratio the way mortgage lenders do. Enter your gross monthly income, housing payment and other monthly debts to get your front-end and back-end DTI, how they compare with common loan guidelines and how much room you have left.
How to use the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
- Enter your gross income before taxes, per month or per year.
- Enter monthly housing costs: rent, or the new mortgage payment plus tax, insurance and HOA.
- Enter minimum monthly debt payments: car, student loans, credit card minimums, personal loans and support.
- Add any other debts in the list box, one amount per line.
- Press Calculate DTI to see your ratios, guideline bands and how much room is left.
DTI formulas
- Front-end DTI = monthly housing costs ÷ gross monthly income × 100
- Back-end DTI = (housing costs + all other monthly debt payments) ÷ gross monthly income × 100
- Maximum payment at a target DTI = gross monthly income × target %
Example: $6,500 gross monthly income, $1,600 rent, $420 car payment, $250 student loan and $90 card minimums. Front-end DTI = $1,600 ÷ $6,500 = 24.6%. Back-end DTI = $2,360 ÷ $6,500 = 36.3%.
DTI guideline bands
| Back-end DTI | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 35% or less | Good. Debt is manageable and most lenders are comfortable. |
| 36% to 43% | Manageable. Within common mortgage limits, less room for new debt. |
| 44% to 49% | High. Approval depends on program, credit and reserves. |
| 50% or more | Very high. Most lenders decline; focus on paying debt down. |
Maximum monthly payments by income
| Gross monthly income | Housing at 28% | All debts at 36% | All debts at 43% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $840 | $1,080 | $1,290 |
| $5,000 | $1,400 | $1,800 | $2,150 |
| $7,500 | $2,100 | $2,700 | $3,225 |
| $10,000 | $2,800 | $3,600 | $4,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate debt-to-income ratio?
DTI = total monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income × 100. With $6,500 income and $2,360 of rent and debt payments, the back-end DTI is 36.3%. Use income before taxes and the minimum required payment on each debt.
What is the difference between front-end and back-end DTI?
Front-end DTI only counts housing costs: rent or mortgage payment, property tax, home insurance, mortgage insurance and HOA. Back-end DTI adds every other monthly debt payment, such as car loans, student loans and credit card minimums.
What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Under 36% is generally considered good, with no more than 28% going to housing (the 28/36 rule). Many mortgage programs accept up to 43%, and some automated approvals go to 45% or 50% for strong borrowers.
What counts as debt in DTI?
Recurring debt payments that appear on a credit report or court order: mortgage or rent, auto loans and leases, student loans, credit card minimum payments, personal loans and child support or alimony. Utilities, phone plans, groceries, insurance and taxes withheld from pay are not counted.
What are the FHA and VA DTI limits?
FHA's standard guideline is 31% front-end and 43% back-end, with higher ratios possible with compensating factors. VA loans use a 41% back-end guideline together with a residual income test.
How can I lower my DTI?
Pay down or pay off loans with small balances, avoid new debt before applying, refinance to lower payments, add a co-borrower's income, or increase income. Paying a credit card to zero removes its minimum payment from the calculation.