Debt-to-Income (DTI) Calculator

Your debt-to-income ratio is the number lenders look at first. Enter your gross monthly income, your housing payment and your other debt payments to see your front-end and back-end DTI — and where you stand against typical lending thresholds. Updates as you type.

Front-end vs back-end DTI

front-end DTI = housing payment ÷ gross income

back-end DTI = (housing + other debt) ÷ gross income

• Front-end (housing) — lenders often look for under ~28%.
• Back-end (all debt) — under 36% is healthy; 43% is a common upper limit for mortgage approval.
• To improve it: pay down debt, avoid new loans before applying, or increase income — all lower the ratio.

This is an educational estimate. Lenders calculate DTI with their own rules and documentation. Not financial advice.

FAQ

What is a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio?

Your DTI is the share of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income that goes to debt payments. Lenders use it to judge how much more you can borrow. There are two versions: the front-end ratio (housing costs only) and the back-end ratio (all debt payments), expressed as percentages.

What is a good DTI ratio?

As a rough guide, a back-end DTI under 36% is considered healthy, 36–43% is acceptable to many lenders, and above 43% starts to limit your mortgage options (43% is a common upper limit for qualified mortgages). Front-end (housing) ratios are often kept under about 28%. Lower is better.

What counts toward DTI?

Include recurring monthly debt: rent or mortgage (plus property tax and insurance if escrowed), car loans, student loans, minimum credit-card payments, personal loans and child support or alimony. Lenders generally exclude utilities, groceries, insurance premiums and other day-to-day living costs.

Should I use gross or net income?

Use gross monthly income — your income before tax and deductions. That is the figure lenders use for DTI. If you are paid annually, divide your gross annual salary by 12.

More calculators: mortgage affordability calculator, debt payoff calculator, 50/30/20 budget calculator, rent affordability calculator, and the full tools list.