Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Lenders live by your debt-to-income ratio. Enter your income and debts to see your front- and back-end DTI against the limits that decide loan approvals.
Example: with Gross monthly income $7,000 · Housing payment (PITI or rent) $1,800 · Other monthly debt payments $700 → Back-end DTI: 36%.
- Front-end (housing) DTI26%
- vs lender limitsStrong (≤36%)
- Room before 43%$510 / mo
Computed by the calculator below using its default values. Change any input to see your own numbers.
Optional: break the “other debt” number down by category — each one adds to the total above.
How you compare to other people
Where you land
How you compare
Tools to lower your DTI before applying
Learn moreFront-end vs back-end
Front-end DTI is just your housing payment as a share of income; back-end DTI adds all other debt. Lenders weigh the back-end number most: under 36% is strong, and most qualified mortgages cap it around 43%. A lower DTI means better approval odds and rates.
Lender DTI thresholds
Different loan programs draw the line in different places. Here’s how the common thresholds compare:
| Guideline | Front-end (housing) | Back-end (total debt) | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional “28/36 rule” | 28% | 36% | The classic conservative split — best odds of approval and the best rates. |
| FHA loans | ≈31% | ≈43% | FHA allows higher ratios, and sometimes up to 50% back-end with strong compensating factors. |
| Qualified Mortgage (QM) ceiling | — | 43% | The CFPB’s general back-end cap for a loan to count as a “qualified mortgage.” |
| Stretch / manual underwriting | — | up to 50% | Some lenders go this high with strong credit, reserves, or a bigger down payment. |
How it’s calculated & sources
Front-end = housing payment ÷ gross monthly income. Back-end = (housing + other debt payments) ÷ gross income. The room figure shows how much more monthly debt fits under the 43% line. “Other debt payments” can be entered as one lump sum, as individual categories (car/auto loan, student loan, credit-card minimums, other personal loans or support payments), or both — the category fields add to, not replace, the lump-sum field, so filling in categories on top of an existing lump sum will double count that portion. The lender-threshold table above summarizes the common conventional, FHA, and qualified-mortgage limits referenced by the benchmark gauge.
Benchmark: lenders favor back-end DTI ≤ 36%; the qualified-mortgage rule generally caps it at 43% (CFPB).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Verify with a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Which debts count?
Recurring monthly obligations — housing, car, student and personal loans, credit-card minimums, child support. Utilities and groceries don’t count.
How do I lower my DTI?
Pay down or pay off small loans, avoid new debt before applying, and raise income. Even closing one car loan can move the needle.
Does FHA allow a higher DTI than a conventional loan?
Generally yes. Conventional lenders often favor the 28/36 rule, while FHA loans typically allow back-end DTI around 43% and sometimes up to 50% with compensating factors like strong credit or cash reserves.