Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Calculate your front-end and back-end debt-to-income ratios exactly the way mortgage and loan underwriters do.
What is a debt-to-income ratio?
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the share of your gross monthly income that goes to debt payments. Lenders use it to judge whether you can comfortably take on a new loan. Back-end DTI = all monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income. Front-end DTI = housing payment only ÷ gross monthly income.
Example
With $6,500 of gross monthly income, an $1,800 rent payment, and $820 of other debt payments, your back-end DTI is $2,620 ÷ $6,500 = 40.3%, and your front-end DTI is $1,800 ÷ $6,500 = 27.7%.
What counts as a debt?
Include recurring obligations that appear on your credit report or in court orders: mortgage or rent, auto loans, student loans, minimum credit card payments, personal loans, and child support or alimony. Don't include utilities, groceries, insurance premiums outside your mortgage, or subscriptions.
What's a good DTI?
Lower is better. A back-end DTI at or below about 36% is generally viewed as healthy. Many mortgage programs accept higher ratios — 43% is a common benchmark, and some programs go to around 50% for borrowers with strong credit, savings, or other compensating factors. Above 50%, options narrow sharply. Want to bring yours down? The debt snowball / avalanche calculator shows the fastest path to paying off balances.
Frequently asked questions
Is DTI based on gross or net income?
Gross income — your pay before taxes and deductions. That's why lenders' DTI numbers can look lower than what your take-home budget feels like.
Do lenders count my credit card balance or minimum payment?
The minimum payment shown on your credit report, not the full balance.
How can I lower my DTI quickly?
Pay off small balances entirely (which removes their payments), avoid new debt before applying for a loan, add a co-borrower's income, or increase your income. Paying down part of a loan without eliminating it often doesn't change the required payment.
Does DTI affect my credit score?
No. Credit scores don't use income, so DTI isn't part of them — but the credit utilization on your cards does affect your score, and lenders look at both.