Debt-to-Income Calculator

Enter your income and monthly debt payments to see your debt-to-income ratio and how lenders may read it.

Calculate your front-end and back-end debt-to-income ratio from your gross monthly income and monthly debt payments.

Gross monthly income ($)

Monthly housing payment: rent or mortgage, tax, insurance ($)

Car, student loan and other loan payments ($)

Minimum credit card payments ($)

How debt-to-income ratio is calculated

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is your total monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income, shown as a percentage. For example, $2,100 of monthly debt payments on a $6,000 gross monthly income is 2,100 ÷ 6,000 = 35%. Lenders also look at the front-end ratio, which counts only housing costs. Include rent or your mortgage payment with property tax and insurance, car loans, student loans, personal loans and the minimum payment on each credit card. Do not include groceries, utilities or phone bills.

What DTI ranges mean

Back-end DTI	Typical reading
36% or less	Generally seen as healthy by lenders
37% to 43%	Often still approved, sometimes with stricter terms
44% to 50%	Harder to qualify; some programs allow it with strong credit or savings
Over 50%	Considered high risk by most lenders

How to lower your DTI

Pay down debt: start with loans that have the biggest monthly payment relative to the balance.
Increase income: a raise or a second income source lowers the ratio without paying anything off.
Avoid new debt before applying for a mortgage or car loan.
Refinance or extend a term to lower a monthly payment, keeping in mind it can raise total interest.

The 36% and 43% levels are common guidelines, not rules: each lender and loan program sets its own limits. This is an estimate, not financial advice. See also the mortgage affordability calculator and the debt payoff calculator.

How to use the debt-to-income calculator

Enter your gross monthly income, before taxes.
Enter your housing payment and your other monthly debt payments.
Read your front-end and back-end DTI and how much room you have before 36% and 43%.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate my debt-to-income ratio?

Add up your monthly debt payments and divide by your gross monthly income. $2,100 of payments on $6,000 of income is 35%.

What is a good debt-to-income ratio?

Many lenders like to see 36% or less, and 43% is a common upper limit for mortgages. Limits vary by lender and loan type.

Do rent and utilities count toward DTI?

Rent counts as a housing payment. Utilities, groceries, phone and insurance premiums other than homeowners insurance usually do not.

What is the difference between front-end and back-end DTI?

Front-end DTI counts only housing costs. Back-end DTI counts housing plus all other monthly debt payments, and it is the number most lenders focus on.

Is DTI based on gross or net income?

Gross income, which is your income before taxes and deductions.

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