Debt-to-Income Calculator
Calculate your housing (front-end) DTI, total (back-end) DTI, and the effect of a proposed new payment. Enter gross income and required monthly payments—not account balances.
This is a planning estimate, not a lending decision. DTI definitions and limits vary by lender, loan type and borrower. The comparison target is editable and does not predict approval.
DTI formulas used
- Gross monthly income: monthly income as entered, or annual income divided by 12.
- Housing DTI: monthly housing payment ÷ gross monthly income × 100.
- Total DTI: all required monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income × 100.
- DTI with proposed payment: adds the proposed payment to current obligations before dividing by income.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau defines DTI as monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income and notes that lender limits differ. Fannie Mae’s mortgage guidance likewise combines qualifying housing costs with other recurring obligations and qualifying monthly income.
Checked example
| Inputs | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Gross income: $8,000/month Housing: $2,350/month | $2,350 ÷ $8,000 | 29.38% housing DTI |
| Other debts: $950/month | ($2,350 + $950) ÷ $8,000 | 41.25% total DTI |
| Proposed payment: $400/month | ($3,300 + $400) ÷ $8,000 | 46.25% proposed DTI |
| Editable target: 36% | $8,000 × 36% | $2,880 maximum debt at target; current obligations are $420 above it |
What to include
- Use gross income before taxes and other payroll deductions. If income varies, use the qualifying amount documented by the lender rather than an optimistic month.
- Enter required monthly payments, such as the minimum shown for a credit card, not the outstanding balance.
- For a mortgage scenario, include principal and interest plus property taxes, insurance, HOA dues and other required housing charges.
- Include recurring installment, lease, revolving, support and other obligations when they apply. Exact treatment and time horizons can differ by lender and program.
- Do not add ordinary living expenses such as groceries or utilities to the DTI fields unless the lender specifically classifies them as debt obligations.
Primary sources
Limits of this calculator
The result does not determine loan eligibility, affordability, creditworthiness or the payment a lender will accept. It does not verify income, classify debts under a particular program, assess credit history, reserves, assets, property type or interest rates, or apply country-specific underwriting rules. A low DTI does not guarantee approval, and a higher DTI does not automatically mean denial.
The editable target is only a comparison. Loan programs and lenders can apply different caps, exceptions and calculations, and those rules can change. Confirm the current definition and qualifying figures with the lender or a qualified financial professional.
Related calculators: Mortgage Affordability Calculator, Budget Calculator, Debt Payoff Calculator and Net Worth Calculator.
Questions
Should I use gross or net income?
Use gross monthly income before taxes and deductions for the standard DTI calculation. If a lender provides a different qualifying income figure, use that documented figure.
Do I enter credit card balances?
No. Enter the required monthly payment. The balance is not itself a monthly payment, although a lender may calculate a payment when none is reported.
What is the difference between front-end and back-end DTI?
Front-end DTI compares housing obligations with income. Back-end DTI compares housing plus other required monthly debts with income. Lenders may use different terminology or evaluate only the total ratio.
Does the target percentage tell me whether I qualify?
No. It is a user-controlled comparison. Actual underwriting depends on the loan program, lender rules and the verified application.