Debt-to-Income Calculator
Calculate your debt-to-income ratio to see how lenders view your financial health. Enter your income and monthly debt payments to get your DTI percentage.
Last updated: 2026-03-07
Debt-to-income calculator
Enter your income & debts
Enter monthly gross income and monthly debt payments.
Debt-to-Income Ratio
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Enter your income and debts to calculate your DTI ratio.
Calculation History (0)
Example calculations
Tap an example to prefill the calculator with sample values.
First-Time Homebuyer
$6,000/mo income, moderate debts
A young professional preparing for a mortgage application.
Result: DTI 38.3% — Fair
Low Debt Household
$8,500/mo income, minimal debts
A dual-income household with low debt obligations.
Result: DTI 25.9% — Excellent
High Debt Scenario
$5,000/mo income, heavy debts
Someone carrying significant monthly debt obligations.
Result: DTI 54.0% — Very Poor
How debt-to-income ratio is calculated
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio compares your total monthly debt payments to your gross monthly income. Lenders use it to assess your ability to manage monthly payments and repay borrowed money.
Formula: DTI = (Total Monthly Debt Payments ÷ Gross Monthly Income) × 100
There are two types of DTI ratio:
- Front-end ratio: Housing costs only ÷ gross income. Lenders prefer this under 28%.
- Back-end ratio: All debt payments ÷ gross income. This is the primary DTI number.
DTI guidelines for mortgage approval:
- 28% or less — Excellent. You're a strong borrower.
- 29–36% — Good. Most lenders are comfortable here.
- 37–43% — Fair. Still qualifies for most loans, but tighter.
- 44–50% — Poor. May need compensating factors (high credit score, large down payment).
- Over 50% — Very risky. Most conventional lenders will decline.
Debt-to-income ratio FAQs
Answers to common DTI questions.
What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Most lenders prefer a DTI of 36% or less for conventional mortgages. FHA loans may accept up to 43%. Some lenders will go as high as 50% with compensating factors like excellent credit or a large down payment, but lower is always better.
What debts are included in DTI?
Include all recurring monthly obligations: mortgage/rent, car loans, student loans, credit card minimum payments, personal loans, child support, and alimony. Do NOT include utilities, groceries, insurance premiums, or other non-debt expenses.
Should I use gross or net income?
Lenders use gross (pre-tax) income for DTI calculations. This includes your base salary, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and any other documented income sources.
How can I lower my DTI ratio?
You can lower DTI by paying down existing debt (especially high-payment debts like car loans), increasing your income, avoiding new debt, or refinancing existing loans to lower monthly payments. Even small reductions in monthly payments can meaningfully improve your ratio.
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Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes. Actual lender requirements vary. Consult with a mortgage professional for personalized advice.
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