Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator (DTI)

Find your front-end and back-end DTI in seconds, and see the housing payment lenders may allow.

Debt-to-income ratio calculator

Gross annual income (before tax)$Monthly housing payment (rent or new mortgage)$Car payments$Student loan payments$Credit card minimums$Other monthly debts$

Estimates for learning only — not a loan offer. Real numbers come from a lender’s Loan Estimate.

What is debt-to-income ratio?

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the share of your gross monthly income that goes to debt payments. Lenders use it to judge whether you can handle a mortgage. There are two versions:

Front-end DTI: just your housing payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA) ÷ gross monthly income.
Back-end DTI: housing plus every other monthly debt ÷ gross monthly income. This is the one lenders focus on most.

ExampleOn an $85,000 salary, gross monthly income is about $7,083. A $2,100 housing payment plus $800 in other debts is $2,900, so back-end DTI is about 40.9%. Front-end DTI is about 29.6%.

What DTI do lenders want?

Back-end DTI	What it usually means
36% or less	Comfortable for most lenders
36%–43%	Often approved, especially with good credit
43%–50%	Possible on some loans with strong credit, savings or other factors
Over 50%	Hard to get approved

Exact limits depend on the loan program and the lender’s automated underwriting. FHA guidelines start from 31% front-end and 43% back-end but can allow more with compensating factors. Read the full breakdown in our debt-to-income ratio guide.

Myth buster“DTI uses my take-home pay.” Lenders use gross income, before taxes and deductions. That’s why a “comfortable” DTI on paper can still feel tight in real life. Budget from your actual take-home pay too.

How to lower your DTI

Pay off a small debt completely so its payment disappears.
Avoid new car loans or credit cards before applying.
Choose a cheaper home or a bigger down payment to shrink the housing payment.
Add a co-borrower’s income, if that makes sense for you.

Then see what price range fits with the home affordability calculator and the mortgage payment calculator.

FAQ

What is a good debt-to-income ratio for a mortgage?

36% or less is a common comfort zone. Many loans approve up to 43%, and some go to about 50% with strong credit or savings.

What counts as debt in DTI?

Monthly minimum payments on things like car loans, student loans, credit cards, personal loans, child support and the new housing payment. Utilities, phone bills and groceries usually don’t count.

Do student loans in deferment count?

Usually yes. Lenders use a payment amount based on program rules even if you’re not paying right now.

Is front-end or back-end DTI more important?

Back-end DTI matters more to most lenders because it includes all your debts.

Sources: CFPB on debt-to-income ratio; HUD Handbook 4000.1 (FHA ratios); Fannie Mae Selling Guide. Estimates for education only. Keys & Coffee is not a lender.