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Debt-to-Income (DTI) Calculator

Enter your gross monthly income and debt payments to find your debt-to-income ratio — the number lenders use to decide whether to approve you.

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Back-end DTI: 0%
Front-end DTI (housing only)
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Many conventional mortgages look for a back-end DTI at or below ~43%, though some loan programs allow higher.

What debt-to-income ratio means

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the share of your gross monthly income that goes toward debt payments. Lenders use it to gauge whether you can comfortably take on a new loan. The lower your DTI, the more room you have — and the better your odds of approval at a good rate.

How lenders read it

  • Below 36%: generally healthy.
  • 36%–43%: often still approvable, but with less cushion.
  • Above 43%: many lenders tighten up or decline; some programs still allow it.

How to improve your DTI

You can lower your ratio two ways: reduce monthly debt (pay down balances, refinance to a lower payment) or increase income. Paying off a small loan can have an outsized effect because it removes a whole monthly payment.

Ready to lower it? Build a plan with the Debt Payoff Calculator or the Snowball vs. Avalanche Calculator. Buying a home? See How Much House Can I Afford?

Frequently asked questions

What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Lower is better. A back-end DTI below 36% is generally considered healthy. Many conventional mortgages look for 43% or less, though some loan programs allow higher with strong credit or reserves. Front-end DTI (housing only) is often expected around 28% or below.
What's the difference between front-end and back-end DTI?
Front-end DTI counts only your housing payment as a share of gross income. Back-end DTI counts all monthly debt payments — housing plus car, student loans, credit card minimums, and other debt. Lenders usually weigh the back-end ratio most heavily.
Does DTI use gross or net income?
Lenders use your gross monthly income — your pay before taxes and deductions. Enter that figure here for a result that matches how lenders calculate it.

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