Debt-to-Income Calculator
Front-end and back-end DTI with lender guide bands.
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Enter your numbers to see the result.
This debt-to-income calculator shows your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: the share of your gross monthly income that goes to debt payments. It gives the front-end ratio (housing only) and the back-end ratio (all debts), places the result in common lender bands, and shows how much room you have before reaching 36% or how much you would need to cut to get under 43%.
What is a Debt-to-Income Calculator?
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares the money you owe each month to the money you earn before tax. Lenders use it, along with your credit score, to judge whether you can take on a new payment. A lower DTI means more of your income is free after debts.
There are two versions. The front-end ratio counts only housing costs: rent or the new mortgage payment with property tax, insurance and HOA dues. The back-end ratio counts housing plus every other required debt payment. This debt-to-income calculator shows both, so you can see where you stand before you apply.
How does the Debt-to-Income Calculator work?
The calculator adds up your monthly debt payments, divides by your gross monthly income and multiplies by 100. It then compares the result with commonly used bands: 36% or less is generally seen as good, many mortgage programs look for 43% or less, and some allow up to about 50% with strong compensating factors.
How to use the Debt-to-Income Calculator step by step
- Enter your gross monthly income before taxes and deductions.
- Enter your housing payment, including property tax, insurance and HOA if you own.
- Add your car, student loan and credit card minimum payments.
- Add any other required payments, such as a personal loan or child support.
- Read your back-end and front-end ratios.
- Use the room-left figure to see how large a new payment you could add.
Debt-to-Income Calculator example with real numbers
Maria earns $72,000 a year, or $6,000 a month before tax. She pays $1,500 rent, $400 on a car loan, $250 on student loans and $100 in credit card minimums.
| Example input | Value |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly income (before tax) | $6,000 |
| Rent or mortgage payment (incl. tax, insurance, HOA) | $1,500 |
| Car loan or lease payment | $400 |
| Student loan payment | $250 |
| Credit card minimum payments | $100 |
| Other debt payments (personal loan, support) | $0 |
| Example output | Value |
|---|---|
| Back-end debt-to-income ratio | 37.5% |
| Front-end (housing) ratio | 25.0% |
| Total monthly debt payments | $2,250 |
| Gross monthly income | $6,000 |
| Above 36% by | $90 a month |
| Cut needed to reach 43% | None |
Her front-end ratio is 25.0%, and the debt-to-income calculator shows a back-end DTI of 37.5%, just above the 36% comfort line. Paying off the credit card and car would bring it well under 36%.
Key features of this Debt-to-Income Calculator
- Front-end and back-end DTI
- Lender guide bands
- Room before 36%
- Payment cut needed to reach 43%
- Breakdown bar by debt type
Who should use the Debt-to-Income Calculator?
Who is this Debt-to-Income Calculator for?
- First-time home buyers
- Anyone applying for a car or personal loan
- Homeowners planning a refinance
- Couples combining finances
Practical use cases
- Checking mortgage readiness
- Deciding which debt to pay off first
- Testing how a new car payment changes your ratio
- Preparing for a loan pre-approval
Key benefits
- Lender view: the same ratio underwriters use.
- Both ratios: housing and total.
- Actionable: shows the payment cut you need.
- Private: runs in your browser.
Tips for better results
- Use your gross income from your pay stub or tax return, not take-home pay.
- Use the minimum payment on each card, not what you usually pay.
- Paying off a small loan with a high payment lowers DTI faster than paying down a large balance.
- Avoid new credit in the months before a mortgage application.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using net income instead of gross income.
- Counting utilities, phone or groceries as debt.
- Forgetting property tax and insurance in the housing payment.
- Leaving out co-signed loans that appear on your credit report.
Limitations of this Debt-to-Income Calculator
- Lenders may count income differently, for example averaging self-employment income over two years.
- Program limits change; check with your lender.
- It does not include your credit score or savings, which also matter.
Debt-to-Income Calculator vs other ways to calculate
| Back-end DTI | How lenders often see it |
|---|---|
| 36% or less | Comfortable; easier approval |
| 36% to 43% | Often acceptable for a mortgage |
| 43% to 50% | Possible with strong credit or reserves |
| Over 50% | Hard to qualify for most loans |
To turn your DTI into a price range, use the home affordability calculator. To cut debt faster, try the debt snowball calculator.
Privacy and data handling
This Debt-to-Income Calculator runs entirely in your browser. The numbers you type are not sent to Qorico or stored on any server, and nothing is saved after you close the page. The Copy and Download buttons create the result on your own device. If the page has analytics turned on, it may count that a calculation happened, but it does not record the values you entered.
Debt-to-Income Calculator FAQs
What is a good debt to income ratio?
36% or less is generally considered good, with no more than about 28% going to housing.
What DTI do I need for a mortgage?
Many lenders look for 43% or less. Some programs allow higher ratios with strong credit or cash reserves.
Is DTI based on gross or net income?
Gross income, before taxes and other deductions.
What counts as debt in DTI?
Housing payments and required payments on car loans, student loans, credit cards, personal loans and court-ordered support.
Does rent count in DTI?
Rent counts in your current ratio. For a mortgage application, the lender uses the new mortgage payment instead.
How can I lower my DTI quickly?
Pay off a loan with a high monthly payment, avoid new debt or add documented income.
Related tools
Sources and references
We checked the method and the current figures used in this Debt-to-Income Calculator against these official and primary sources:
- CFPB: What is a debt-to-income ratio?
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Fannie Mae: Selling Guide
- HUD: Buying a home
Written and reviewed by the Qorico Team
