Debt-to-income calculator

Add up your monthly debt payments, including the housing payment you're applying for, to see your DTI the way a mortgage lender does. Uses US lender guidelines (CFPB, FHA and Fannie Mae).

By the Calcist team · Checked against known answers · Updated October 27, 2026

Private: calculated on your device. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.

Estimates for planning, not financial, tax or legal advice. Figures use US rules unless the page says otherwise.

Next: Turn your limits into a price with the home affordability calculator, or lower your DTI with the debt payoff calculator.

How DTI is calculated

Front-end DTI = housing payment ÷ gross monthly income × 100
Back-end DTI = all monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income × 100

Use income before tax. The housing payment for a mortgage includes principal, interest, property tax, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance and HOA dues. Debts are the minimum payments on your credit report plus obligations like child support. Everyday bills like utilities, phone and groceries don't count.

Worked example

You earn $7,500 a month before tax. The new mortgage would be $1,900, and you also pay $450 for a car, $300 in student loans and $120 in card minimums: $2,770 in total.

Front-end: 1,900 ÷ 7,500 = 25.3%
Back-end: 2,770 ÷ 7,500 = 36.9%

The housing ratio fits the 28% guideline, but total debts are $70 a month over 36%.

What lenders look for

28/36: the classic guideline. Housing under 28% of gross income, all debts under 36%.
43%: for years, the federal rule for a "qualified mortgage" capped back-end DTI at 43%. Since 2021 the general rule is based on the loan's price instead, but 43% is still a common benchmark, including for many FHA loans.
Up to 50%: Fannie Mae allows up to 45% on manually underwritten loans with strong credit or reserves, and up to 50% through its automated system.

Lenders vary, and credit score, down payment and savings can move the limits either way. Treat these as guides, not guarantees.

Limitations

If your income varies (self-employed, commission, overtime), lenders usually average it over two years.
Student loans in deferment may still be counted at a set percent of the balance.
A low DTI doesn't mean a payment fits your budget. Taxes, childcare and savings goals aren't in it.

Sources

How we checked this

Before every update, this calculator is run in a real browser with these known answers, and it must match all of them:

$7,500/month, $2,770 of debts: back-end 36.9% ✓
Same: front-end 25.3% ✓
$90,000 a year is the same $7,500 a month ✓
No debts: 0% ✓

Last checked October 26, 2026. Spotted something wrong? The math is done in your browser with the formula shown on this page, so you can check any result by hand.

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Questions people ask

What is a good debt-to-income ratio?

Under 36% is generally seen as healthy, with housing under 28%. Many lenders approve up to 43%, and some loans go to 50% with strong credit.

Is DTI based on gross or net income?

Gross income, before tax and other deductions. That's why the percentages look lower than what it feels like from your paycheck.

Does rent count in debt-to-income?

Your current rent isn't on your credit report, but when you apply for a mortgage, the new housing payment replaces it in the ratio.

How can I lower my DTI?

The ratio falls when debts with high monthly payments are paid off or paid down, when no new loans are added before you apply, or when a co-borrower's income is counted.

Related calculators

How much house can I afford?The home price that fits your income and debts (28/36 rule).Mortgage calculatorMonthly payment with tax, insurance and PMI, plus what-if rates.Debt payoff calculatorAvalanche vs snowball for up to 8 debts, with payoff order and dates.Down payment calculatorCash to close, loan amount and LTV, or the price your savings cover.