Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Find your debt-to-income ratio, the number lenders use to decide how much you can borrow.

Resultupdates as you type
Back-end DTI (all debts)—
Rating—
Front-end DTI (housing)—
Total monthly debt—
Room left to reach 36%—
Room left to reach 43%—
Under 20%20–36%36–43%Over 43%

How to use the DTI calculator

  1. Enter your gross monthly income, meaning before taxes. If you're salaried, divide your yearly salary by 12.
  2. Enter your housing payment. Renters enter rent; owners include the mortgage, property tax, home insurance and HOA.
  3. Add your other monthly debt payments: car, student loans, credit card minimums and any other loans.

You'll see both the front-end (housing only) and back-end (all debts) ratios, how lenders typically view them, and how much more monthly debt you could take on before hitting common limits.

The DTI formulas

Back-end DTI = Total monthly debt payments ÷ Gross monthly income × 100 Front-end DTI = Monthly housing costs ÷ Gross monthly income × 100

Example: with $6,500 gross monthly income, $1,600 housing and $770 in other debt payments, total debt is $2,370. That's a back-end DTI of 36.5% and a front-end DTI of 24.6%.

How lenders view your DTI

Back-end DTIWhat it usually means
Under 20%Excellent: lots of room in your budget
20% – 36%Good: most lenders are comfortable
36% – 43%Acceptable for many mortgages, but it limits how much you can borrow
43% – 50%High: only some loan programs, usually with strong credit or savings
Over 50%Very high: hard to qualify, and a sign to pay down debt

Exact limits depend on the lender and loan type (conventional, FHA, VA, auto or personal loans), and on your credit score and savings.

Why DTI matters even if you're not borrowing

DTI is a quick health check for your budget. A ratio above about 40% means a large share of your income is committed before you've paid for food, utilities or savings. That leaves little cushion for emergencies. Bringing it down, starting with the highest-interest debts, frees up cash every month.

This is an estimate for planning purposes and not a loan approval.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Most lenders consider a total (back-end) DTI of 36% or less to be good. Up to 43% is often still acceptable for a mortgage, and some loan programs go higher with strong credit or savings. Below 20% is excellent.
What's the difference between front-end and back-end DTI?
Front-end DTI only counts housing costs (rent or mortgage, property tax, insurance, HOA) divided by your gross monthly income. Back-end DTI counts all monthly debt payments, including housing, car loans, student loans, credit card minimums and personal loans.
Do I use gross or net income?
Lenders use gross monthly income — what you earn before taxes and deductions. Include salary, regular bonuses, self-employment income and other steady income you can document.
What debts count toward DTI?
Recurring debt payments that show on your credit report or are legally required: mortgage or rent, car loans, student loans, minimum credit card payments, personal loans, and child support or alimony. Everyday bills like groceries, utilities, phone and insurance premiums (other than home insurance) are not included.
How can I lower my DTI quickly?
Pay off small balances completely to remove their monthly payment, avoid taking on new debt before applying for a loan, and consider adding a co-borrower's income. Increasing your income also lowers the ratio.