Debt-to-Income (DTI) Calculator
DTI is the number lenders quietly compute the moment you apply for anything: your monthly obligations divided by your gross monthly income. Work out both of yours, front-end and back-end, and see how much room you have before the common guideposts.
Before taxes: wages, self employment, and other regular income lenders can count.
Rent, or mortgage principal and interest plus property taxes, insurance, and HOA dues.
Car loans, student loans, minimum credit card payments, personal loans, and support obligations. Not utilities, groceries, or subscriptions.
Back-end DTI (all debts)
Guideposts, not rules: the traditional lender rule of thumb is housing under 28 percent and total debts under 36 percent of gross income, and many lenders scrutinize applications above 43 percent. Individual lenders and loan programs differ. General information, not financial advice.
The two ratios, and who looks at which
Front-end DTI is housing alone: rent or full mortgage payment divided by gross monthly income. Mortgage underwriters care about it most, with 28 percent the traditional comfort line. Back-end DTI adds every other recurring debt payment, car loans, student loans, card minimums, support obligations, and it is the number that decides most credit decisions. Under 36 percent reads as healthy; many lenders look harder above 43 percent; above 50 percent, new credit gets scarce and expensive.
Why DTI matters even when you are not borrowing
DTI is also the cleanest single measure of whether a debt load is sustainable. A back-end ratio that keeps climbing while income stays flat is the early warning that minimum payments are winning. If yours sits above 43 percent and the trend is up, that is exactly the situation where comparing structured options, consolidation, a debt management plan, or settlement with its trade-offs, starts to make sense.
What this calculator assumes
- Gross (pre-tax) income, the way lenders compute it.
- Minimum payments on revolving debt, not what you actually pay.
- The 28/36 and 43 percent lines are common guideposts, not rules any specific lender is bound to.
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Free to use on your own site or blog. Copy the code below and paste it where you want the calculator to appear, the attribution links back to this page.
Adjust the height if you'd like; it's responsive and works on mobile.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Under 36 percent back-end is the traditional healthy zone, with housing under 28 percent. Many lenders scrutinize applications above 43 percent, and above 50 percent signals serious strain. Programs and lenders differ.
Do utilities and groceries count in DTI?
No. DTI counts recurring debt obligations: housing, loan payments, card minimums, and support orders. Living costs like utilities, food, gas, and subscriptions are excluded, which is why a fine-looking DTI can still feel tight in real life.
Is DTI based on gross or take-home income?
Gross, before taxes. Lenders compute it that way, so your ratio will look better than your take-home budget feels.
How do I lower my DTI?
Two levers: raise documented income or cut monthly debt service. On the debt side, paying down a loan entirely removes its whole payment from the ratio, which is why eliminating a small loan can improve DTI more than paying the same dollars toward a large one. Our payoff calculator can model it.
DTI telling you the load is too heavy?
Compare structured approaches to bringing monthly debt service down. Many companies offer free initial consultations; check individual providers for details, and know that debt settlement can negatively affect your credit.
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