Debt-to-Income (DTI) Calculator
Free · no sign-up · reviewed July 2026
Your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is the number lenders care about most when you apply for a mortgage. It's simply your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. This calculator works out both versions lenders look at and tells you where you stand.
Enter your income and each monthly payment. The ring shows how much of your income is already committed to debt versus what's left over. Lower is better, and there are clear thresholds worth knowing.
Drag to adjust
Your debt-to-income ratio
40%
Acceptable · $2,400 of debt on $6,000 income
💡 Your back-end DTI is 40%. That's still within reach: 43% is the usual ceiling for a qualified mortgage, but under 36% is the sweet spot. Paying down a card or small loan would move you into stronger territory.
40%
Back-end DTI
all monthly debt
27%
Front-end DTI
housing only
$3,600
Income left
after debt payments
- Housing$1,600
- Other debts$800
- Income left$3,600
- Total monthly debt
- $2,400
- Back-end DTI (all debt)
- 40.0%
- Front-end DTI (housing)
- 26.7%
- Income after debts
- $3,600
The 2-minute guide
Front-end vs back-end DTI
Front-end DTI counts only your housing payment against your income. Back-end DTI counts all your debt: housing plus car, student loans, credit cards and other payments. Lenders weigh the back-end number most, and the common guideline is to keep it at or below 36%, with 43% as a frequent hard ceiling for a qualified mortgage.
Use gross income, not take-home
DTI is calculated on your gross monthly income, the amount before taxes and deductions. That's the number lenders use, so use it here too. Comparing your debts to your smaller take-home pay would make your ratio look worse than a lender will see it.
The fastest way to lower it
Two levers move DTI: less debt or more income. Paying off a small loan or a credit card removes its whole monthly payment from the top of the fraction, which can drop your ratio surprisingly fast. Avoid taking on a new car loan right before applying for a mortgage, since it works against you.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Below 36% is generally considered healthy, and it's the target most lenders prefer. Many mortgage programs allow up to 43%, and some go to about 50% with strong credit and cash reserves, but lower is always better for both approval odds and your own breathing room.
How do I calculate my debt-to-income ratio?
Add up your total monthly debt payments (housing, car, student loans, credit card minimums and other loans), then divide by your gross monthly income and multiply by 100. For example, $2,400 of debt on $6,000 of income is a 40% DTI. This calculator does it for you.
Does rent count in debt-to-income ratio?
Yes. Your current rent or mortgage payment is included in your back-end DTI. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders replace your rent with the proposed new house payment to see whether the new total still fits.
What bills are not included in DTI?
Lenders generally leave out everyday living costs like groceries, utilities, phone bills, insurance premiums and streaming subscriptions. DTI focuses on debt obligations: loans and minimum credit card payments, plus housing.
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