Calculate your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio for mortgage applications, personal loans, and auto financing. See both front-end (housing) and back-end (total debt) DTI ratios with lender guidelines and max affordable payment estimates.
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Your gross monthly income before taxes
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Monthly mortgage or rent payment
$
Monthly property tax (if not in mortgage)
$
Monthly HOA or condo fees
$
Monthly auto loan payment
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Monthly student loan payment
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Total minimum credit card payments
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Personal loans, medical debt, etc.
✓Your Results
Monthly Income
$6,000
Total Debt Payments
$2,900
48.3% of income
Remaining Income
$3,100
✅ Positive cash flow
Front-End DTI (Housing)
30.0%
Good
Target: ≤28%Max: 36%
Housing costs: $1,800/mo
Back-End DTI (Total Debt)
48.3%
Fair
Target: ≤36%Max: 43-50%
Total debt: $2,900/mo
💰 Debt Breakdown
Housing
$1,800
62%
Car Loan
$400
14%
Student Loan
$300
10%
Credit Cards
$200
7%
Other Debt
$200
7%
🏡 Max Affordable Housing Payment
$1,060/month
Based on 28% front-end DTI and 36% back-end DTI limits (lender guidelines)
Enter your monthly gross income and all your monthly debt payments. The calculator instantly shows both front-end (housing) and back-end (total debt) DTI ratios with color-coded gauges, lender guideline comparisons, and your max affordable housing payment.
Disclaimer: This tool is for estimation purposes only. We are not certified financial advisors, CPAs, or legal experts. Please consult a professional before making financial decisions.
About This Calculator
Calculate your debt-to-income ratio for mortgage and loan applications. Free DTI calculator with front-end, back-end ratios, and lender guidelines. Use our free Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator 2026 to run accurate estimates instantly — no sign-up, no downloads, and no personal data stored.
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward debt payments. It is the single most important number lenders use to determine how much you can borrow. A DTI below 36% is considered good; below 28% is excellent. Most mortgage lenders require a DTI of 43% or less for conventional loans.
There are two types of DTI: front-end DTI measures only housing costs (mortgage/rent, property tax, insurance, HOA) divided by gross income — lenders want this below 28%. Back-end DTI includes ALL monthly debt obligations (housing + car loans + student loans + credit card minimums + personal loans) — lenders want this below 36–43%.
On a $6,000 gross monthly income with a target 36% back-end DTI, your maximum total debt payments are $2,160/month. If you already have $400 in car payments and $300 in student loans, only $1,460 remains for housing — which at 7% interest supports roughly a $220,000 mortgage. Every $100 in existing debt reduces your home buying power by approximately $15,000.
To lower your DTI before applying: pay off credit cards (eliminating a $200 minimum payment drops DTI by 3.3% on $6,000 income), pay down car loans, consolidate student loans to reduce minimums, and avoid opening new credit lines within 6 months of applying. Increasing income also helps — a $500/month raise lowers DTI by about 2 percentage points at typical debt levels.
How to Use the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator 2026
Enter your gross monthly income (before taxes) from all sources: salary, side income, rental income, etc.
Enter your monthly housing costs: mortgage or rent payment, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and HOA fees.
Enter all other monthly debt payments: car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, personal loans, and child support.
Review your front-end DTI, back-end DTI, which loan programs you qualify for, and how much additional borrowing capacity you have.
All calculations run locally in your browser for privacy and speed. Results are estimates for planning purposes — consult a qualified tax professional, financial advisor, or accountant for advice specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good DTI ratio?
Below 36% back-end DTI is considered good by most lenders and qualifies you for the best interest rates. Below 28% is excellent. Between 36–43% is acceptable for most conventional mortgages but may result in slightly higher rates. Above 43% makes it difficult to qualify for a conventional mortgage — FHA loans may allow up to 50% with strong compensating factors (high credit score, large down payment).
What is front-end vs back-end DTI?
Front-end DTI includes only housing costs (mortgage/rent payment, property tax, homeowner's insurance, HOA fees) divided by gross income. Lenders typically want this below 28%. Back-end DTI includes ALL monthly debt obligations — housing costs plus car payments, student loans, credit card minimums, personal loans, and child support. Lenders want this below 36–43% depending on the loan type.
How can I lower my DTI ratio?
Three approaches: (1) Reduce debt — pay off credit cards or car loans to eliminate monthly payments. Paying off a $5,000 credit card with a $150 minimum drops DTI by 2.5% on $6,000 income. (2) Increase income — a raise, second job, or side income. A $1,000/month income increase can drop DTI by 5+ points. (3) Avoid new debt — do not finance a car or open credit cards within 6 months of a mortgage application.
Do all lenders use the same DTI limits?
No. Conventional loans typically cap at 43% (some allow 45% with strong compensating factors). FHA allows up to 50%. VA loans have a guideline of 41% but no hard limit — they consider residual income instead. USDA caps at 41%. Jumbo loans are strictest at 36–38%. Individual lenders may have overlays (additional restrictions) beyond these program guidelines.
What debts are included in DTI calculation?
Monthly minimum payments for: mortgage/rent, car loans, student loans, credit card minimum payments, personal loans, child support, alimony, and any other installment debt appearing on your credit report. NOT included: utilities, insurance (unless part of mortgage), groceries, phone bills, subscriptions, medical bills not in collections, or taxes (unless owed as an installment plan).
How does DTI affect my mortgage approval?
DTI is one of the three pillars of mortgage approval (along with credit score and down payment). A DTI of 25% gets you the best rates and highest approval odds. At 36%, you are still in good shape. At 43%, you are at the conventional limit — expect slightly higher rates. Above 43%, you will need an FHA loan or compensating factors. Every 5% increase in DTI roughly reduces your borrowing power by $30,000–$50,000.
Related Guide
Free DTI ratio calculator for 2026. Learn how front-end and back-end DTI ratios work, what lenders look for in mortgage ... Read the Full Guide
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Last updated: June 2026 · TheMetricApp provides free financial calculators for US and UK taxpayers, freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners.
