Debt-to-Income Calculator

Calculate your DTI ratio to see how lenders view your borrowing capacity.

By Salman Ahmed|Updated April 14, 2026

Your Monthly Income

Gross Monthly Income

$7,000

$1,000$50,000

Pre-tax income from all sources (salary, side income, etc.)

Housing Costs (Front-End DTI)

Mortgage / Rent

Property Tax

Home Insurance

HOA Fees

Other Monthly Debts (Back-End DTI)

Car Payments

Student Loans

Credit Card Min. Payments

Other Debts

Your DTI Ratios

Front-End DTI

27.1%

Housing only

Back-End DTI

39.3%

All debts

Lender View: Good

Good! Your DTI of 39.3% is acceptable for most lenders. Aim to get below 36% for better rates.

Monthly Summary

Housing Costs$1,900

Total Debts$2,750

Remaining Budget$4,250After all debt payments

Gross Income$7,000

Lender DTI Guidelines

Excellent (Most Options)Below 36%

Good (Standard Approval)36% - 43%

Fair (Limited Options)43% - 50%

Difficult to QualifyAbove 50%

Lender Limits (Based on Your Income)

Max Housing Payment$1,96028% of income

Max Total Debts$2,52036% of income

Back-End DTI Ratio

All debts included

39.3%

Good

Debt Breakdown

Mortgage

$1,500

Property Tax

$300

Insurance

$100

Car Loans

$400

Student Loans

$300

Credit Cards

$150

Income vs Debt

Monthly Debts

$2,750

Remaining

$4,250

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Understanding Debt-to-Income Ratio

How lenders evaluate your ability to repay a loan

What is DTI?

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares your monthly debt payments to your gross monthly income. Lenders use this metric to assess your ability to manage monthly payments and repay borrowed money.

DTI = (Monthly Debt Payments ÷ Gross Monthly Income) × 100

Two Types of DTI

Front-End DTI

Housing costs only (mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA). Should be below 28%.

Back-End DTI

All monthly debts including housing. Should be below 36% (43% for some programs).

What Counts as Debt?

Included: Mortgage/rent, car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, personal loans, child support, alimony

Not Included: Utilities, phone bills, groceries, subscriptions, gas, entertainment

How to Lower Your DTI

1Pay off credit cards and small loans
2Avoid taking on new debt before applying
3Increase your income (side job, raise, second earner)
4Consider a less expensive home

Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the information you provide. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making important financial decisions.

What You Need to Know

💡Why This Calculator Matters

Your debt-to-income ratio is one of the most important numbers lenders look at. A high DTI can disqualify you from loans even with excellent credit.

👤Who Needs This

Anyone preparing for a mortgage application, those with existing debt wondering about loan approval chances, or people working to improve their financial profile.

🎯Key Insight

Most conventional mortgages require DTI under 43%, but ideal is under 36%. FHA allows up to 50% in some cases, but that doesn't mean it's comfortable.

⚠️Common Mistake

Not including all debts in the calculation. Student loans, car payments, minimum credit card payments, and even alimony/child support all count.

✅Pro Tip

Paying off small debts before applying can dramatically improve your DTI. Eliminating a $200/month car payment could qualify you for $30,000+ more house.

📊Real-World Example

Scenario: $8,000/month gross income, $1,500 in monthly debt payments

Current DTI: 18.75%. Adding $2,000 mortgage = 43.75%

Just at the limit. Paying off a $300/month debt first would bring DTI to 40%, improving approval odds.

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Debt-to-Income Calculator

Your Monthly Income

Housing Costs (Front-End DTI)

Other Monthly Debts (Back-End DTI)

Your DTI Ratios

Monthly Summary

Lender DTI Guidelines

Lender Limits (Based on Your Income)

Back-End DTI Ratio

Debt Breakdown

Income vs Debt

Embed This Calculator

What is DTI?

Two Types of DTI

Front-End DTI

Back-End DTI

What Counts as Debt?

How to Lower Your DTI

Disclaimer

What You Need to Know

💡Why This Calculator Matters

👤Who Needs This

🎯Key Insight

⚠️Common Mistake

✅Pro Tip

📊Real-World Example

Related Articles

How Much House Can I Afford? The Complete Guide for Every Salary (2026)

The Car Affordability Rule Dealerships Hope You Never Learn

Related Calculators

Home Affordability Calculator

Mortgage Calculator

HELOC Calculator

Paycheck Calculator

Debt-to-Income Calculator

Your Monthly Income

Housing Costs (Front-End DTI)

Other Monthly Debts (Back-End DTI)

Your DTI Ratios

Monthly Summary

Lender DTI Guidelines

Lender Limits (Based on Your Income)

Back-End DTI Ratio

Debt Breakdown

Income vs Debt

Embed This Calculator

What is DTI?

Two Types of DTI

Front-End DTI

Back-End DTI

What Counts as Debt?

How to Lower Your DTI

Disclaimer