Debt-to-Income Calculator

Free debt-to-income calculator: find your front-end and back-end DTI ratios against the 28/36 rule lenders use, and see where you stand.

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How the debt-to-income calculator works

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the share of your gross monthly income that goes to debt payments, and it is one of the first numbers a lender checks when you apply for a mortgage or loan. This calculator computes both ratios lenders care about from three inputs — your gross monthly income, your housing payment, and your other monthly debt payments.

front-end DTI = housing payment ÷ gross monthly income

The front-end (or housing) ratio counts only your rent or mortgage, including taxes and insurance.

back-end DTI = (housing + all other debt) ÷ gross monthly income

The back-end ratio adds car loans, student loans, and credit-card minimums. Lenders weigh this one most heavily.

What counts as a good DTI

The classic benchmark is the 28/36 rule: lenders like to see housing costs under 28% of gross income and total debt under 36%. Many mortgage programs allow a back-end ratio up to 43%, and some go higher with strong compensating factors like a large down payment or significant cash reserves. The calculator rates your result against these thresholds and shows where you land on the scale.

A worked example

If you earn $6,000 a month before taxes, pay $1,600 for housing, and have $400 in other monthly debt, your front-end DTI is about 27% ($1,600 ÷ $6,000) and your back-end DTI is about 33% ($2,000 ÷ $6,000). Both are within the 28/36 guideline, which lenders read as healthy.

How to improve your DTI

Pay down revolving debt. Reducing credit-card and loan balances lowers the monthly payments that feed your back-end ratio.
Avoid new debt before applying. A new car loan right before a mortgage application can push your ratio over the line.
Increase income where you can. DTI uses gross income, so a raise or documented side income improves the ratio directly.
Consider a smaller housing payment. If your front-end ratio is high, a less expensive home or a larger down payment brings it back in range.

DTI is closely tied to how much home you can afford — for the full picture, read how much house can you afford?

Frequently asked questions

What is a good debt-to-income ratio?

Lenders generally like to see housing costs under 28% of gross income (the front-end ratio) and total debt payments under 36% (the back-end ratio) — the "28/36 rule." Many mortgage programs allow up to 43%, and some higher with strong compensating factors like a big down payment or cash reserves.

What is the difference between front-end and back-end DTI?

Front-end DTI counts only your housing payment against income. Back-end DTI counts all monthly debt — housing plus car loans, student loans, and credit-card minimums. Lenders weigh the back-end ratio most heavily.

Does DTI use gross or net income?

Gross — your income before taxes and deductions. Enter your gross monthly income for the ratio to match what a lender calculates.

Related: how much house can you afford?