DTI Ratio Calculator

Calculate your Debt-to-Income ratio to assess your loan eligibility.

Monthly Income

Total income before taxes.

Monthly Debts

Debt-to-Income Ratio
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Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

When you apply for a mortgage, car loan, or credit card, lenders don't just look at your credit score. They also look at your Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio. This number tells them how much of your monthly income is already eaten up by debt payments. Our DTI Calculator helps you see where you stand before you apply.

How DTI is Calculated

The formula is simple division:

DTI = (Total Monthly Debt Payments / Gross Monthly Income) × 100

Note that this uses Gross Income (pre-tax), not your take-home pay. It includes debts like rent/mortgage, student loans, auto loans, and credit card minimums. It generally does not include expenses like groceries, utilities, or gas.

What is a Good DTI?

  • Under 36%: The "Gold Standard." Most lenders prefer a DTI lower than 36%, with no more than 28% going toward housing costs.
  • 36% - 43%: The "Okay Zone." You can usually still get a qualified mortgage, but you might face stricter scrutiny or slightly higher rates.
  • Over 43%: The "Danger Zone." Many lenders will deny mortgage applications above this threshold because it suggests you are over-leveraged and at risk of default.

Front-End vs. Back-End Ratio

Front-End Ratio

Considers ONLY housing costs (mortgage PITI or rent) divided by income. Lenders like this under 28%.

Back-End Ratio

Considers ALL monthly debt payments. This is the main number this calculator provides and is the more important metric.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I lower my DTI?

You have two options: increase your income (side hustle, raise) or decrease your debt (pay off loans, refinance for lower monthly payments). Paying off a credit card completely removes that minimum payment from the calculation.

Does DTI impact my credit score?

Indirectly. Credit bureaus don't know your income, so DTI isn't on your credit report. However, high credit card balances (which increase DTI) also increase your Credit Utilization Ratio, which does hurt your score.