Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your DTI ratio to see if you qualify for a mortgage or other loans.

$

Before taxes and deductions

Monthly Debt Payments

Front-End DTI

—

Housing ÷ income

Back-End DTI

—

All debts ÷ income

Total Monthly Debt

—

Sum of all payments

Mortgage Status

—

Based on DTI

DTI Health Scale

DTI Benchmarks

DTI Range What It Means
Under 20%Excellent — lenders love this
20–35%Good — qualifies for most loans
36–43%Acceptable — may limit loan options
44–50%High — FHA/VA only, scrutinized
Over 50%Very high — most lenders will deny

Maximum Debt to Qualify for Mortgage

At a $6,000/month income and 43% DTI limit: maximum debt = $2,580/month. If you have $850/month in existing debt payments, your maximum mortgage payment is $1,730/month.

Related Guides

Related Data

Compare mortgage lenders and denial rates by state at PlainLender. See income benchmarks for your occupation at WageDex.

Disclaimer: DTI is one factor in loan decisions. Lenders also weigh credit score, down payment, assets, and loan type. Guidelines vary by lender and loan program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Below 36% is generally considered good. Under 28% is ideal for housing alone (front-end DTI). Mortgage lenders typically require a back-end DTI under 43-50% for approval. Below 20% gives you the best loan terms. Above 50% means most of your income goes to debt service — a financial stress signal.
How do lenders use DTI for mortgage approval?
Lenders check two ratios: front-end (housing costs only ÷ income) and back-end (all debts ÷ income). Conventional loans: front-end ≤28%, back-end ≤36-45%. FHA loans: front-end ≤31%, back-end ≤43-57%. VA loans are more flexible, using just back-end at ≤41%.
Does rent count in DTI?
Current rent doesn't usually count in your pre-mortgage DTI — lenders compare your proposed mortgage payment (not current rent) to your income. However, if you own rental property, rental income may offset debts. Post-purchase, your mortgage replaces rent in the DTI calculation.
How can I lower my DTI quickly?
Two approaches: increase income (side income, raise, co-borrower) or reduce debt (pay off small balances, don't take new debt before major loans). The fastest strategy: pay off highest-minimum-payment debts first to lower the monthly obligation denominator.

Related Calculators

💰
Finance

Loan Calculator

Calculate monthly payments, total interest, and amortization schedule for any loan type.

🏠
Finance

Mortgage Calculator

Estimate monthly mortgage payments including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.

📈
Finance

Compound Interest Calculator

See how your money grows over time with compound interest and regular contributions.

🎯
Finance

Savings Goal Calculator

Figure out how much to save monthly to reach your financial goal by a target date.

🧾
Finance

Tip Calculator

Calculate tips and split bills evenly among any number of people.

🏖️
Finance

Retirement Savings Calculator

Calculate how much you need to save for retirement based on your age, savings, and investment returns.