Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Find out what percentage of your income goes toward debt — and whether lenders will see you as a safe bet.
Pension, rental income, investments, side income, etc.
Minimum payments
Personal loans, child support, etc.
Housing costs only
All debts combined
Limits shown as front-end / back-end maximums
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How to Use This DTI Calculator
Your debt-to-income ratio tells you — and your lender — how much of your paycheck is already spoken for. Here's how to figure out yours:
- Enter your gross income — annual salary plus any other regular income (investments, rental, pension). This is before-tax money, not your take-home.
- Add housing costs — rent or mortgage payment, property tax, insurance, and HOA. These make up your front-end ratio.
- Add other debts — credit card minimums, student loans, car payments, and any other monthly obligations. Combined with housing, this is your back-end ratio.
The results show both ratios instantly, with color-coded gauges showing where you stand. The mortgage qualification section tells you whether you'd meet the DTI requirements for conventional, FHA, and VA loans.
What the Numbers Mean
Lenders see DTI as a measure of risk. The higher your ratio, the more stretched your budget — and the less likely you are to handle an unexpected expense without missing a payment.
| Back-End DTI | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 36% or less | Manageable. Lenders see you as low risk and you'll get the best rates. |
| 36% – 43% | Room to improve. Most lenders will still work with you, but you may pay slightly more. |
| 43% – 50% | Getting tight. Fewer lenders will approve you, and terms won't be as favorable. |
| Above 50% | Red flag. More than half your income goes to debt. Focus on paying down before borrowing more. |
Quick Ways to Bring Your DTI Down
- Pay off a small debt — eliminating even a $200/month car payment can move the needle significantly. Target the smallest balance first for the quickest win.
- Increase your income — a raise, overtime, or side income all lower your ratio because the denominator gets bigger.
- Avoid new debt before applying — don't finance furniture or a new car right before a mortgage application. Each new payment pushes your ratio higher.
- Consolidate high-interest debt — rolling credit card balances into a lower-rate personal loan can reduce your minimum payments.
- Pay more than the minimum — extra payments toward principal on any loan reduce your balance faster, eventually eliminating the monthly obligation entirely.