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Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income ratio from monthly income and debts, with front-end and back-end DTI and lender guidelines.

Results update instantly.Change any value and the estimate recalculates on the spot.

Money

Debt-to-income ratio

See what share of your gross monthly income goes to debt payments, and how lenders judge it.

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Back-end debt-to-income ratio

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  • Front-end DTI (housing only)-
  • Total monthly debts-
  • Income left after debts-

Guideline only. Lenders also weigh credit score, savings, and job history; 36% or less is comfortable and 43% is the typical max for qualified mortgages.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter your gross monthly income before taxes. 2. Enter each monthly debt payment. 3. Read your back-end and front-end DTI ratios.

Worked example

With $8,000 of monthly income and $2,700 in debts ($2,000 housing + $400 auto + $200 cards + $100 other), back-end DTI is 33.8% and front-end DTI is 25.0%, leaving $5,300 after debts.

How the math works

Back-end DTI = total monthly debt payments / gross monthly income x 100. Front-end DTI = housing payment / gross monthly income x 100. Only minimum required debt payments count; utilities, groceries, and taxes are excluded.

What is a debt-to-income ratio?
The share of your gross monthly income that goes to required debt payments. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan.
What is front-end vs. back-end DTI?
Front-end DTI counts only housing costs; back-end DTI counts all monthly debts. Lenders usually care most about the back-end number.
What DTI do lenders want?
36% or less is comfortable for most lenders. For qualified mortgages, 43% is the typical maximum back-end DTI.
Does DTI include utilities and groceries?
No. DTI counts only required debt payments like housing, auto loans, student loans, and credit card minimums, not living expenses.
How can I lower my DTI?
Pay down balances to cut monthly minimums, avoid new debt before applying, or raise income. Even small drops can move you under a lender's cutoff.
Is a 33.8% DTI good?
Yes, it sits under the 36% comfort line, so most lenders would view it as manageable, though credit score and savings still matter.

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How it works

How the Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio Calculator works

Quick answer: With $8,000 gross monthly income and $2,700 in monthly debt payments, your back-end DTI is 33.8% and your housing-only (front-end) DTI is 25.0%.

Formula

Back-end DTI = all monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income × 100
Front-end DTI = housing payment ÷ gross monthly income × 100

Many lenders look for back-end DTI at or below 36%, and up to about 43% to 50% depending on the loan program.

Worked example

Income $8,000. Housing $2,000, auto $400, cards $200, other $100: total $2,700. Back-end DTI 33.8%, front-end 25.0%.

$8,000 monthly income, $700 non-housing debts

Housing paymentBack-end DTIFront-end DTI
$1,20023.8%15.0%Open
$1,60028.7%20.0%Open
$2,00033.8%25.0%Open
$2,40038.8%30.0%Open
$2,80043.8%35.0%Open

Assumptions and limits

  • Use gross (pre-tax) income and minimum required payments, not what you choose to pay.

Frequently asked questions

What is a debt-to-income ratio?

The share of your gross monthly income that goes to required debt payments. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan.

What is front-end vs. back-end DTI?

Front-end DTI counts only housing costs; back-end DTI counts all monthly debts. Lenders usually care most about the back-end number.

What DTI do lenders want?

36% or less is comfortable for most lenders. For qualified mortgages, 43% is the typical maximum back-end DTI.

Does DTI include utilities and groceries?

No. DTI counts only required debt payments like housing, auto loans, student loans, and credit card minimums, not living expenses.

How can I lower my DTI?

Pay down balances to cut monthly minimums, avoid new debt before applying, or raise income. Even small drops can move you under a lender's cutoff.

Is a 33.8% DTI good?

Yes, it sits under the 36% comfort line, so most lenders would view it as manageable, though credit score and savings still matter.

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