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Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your front-end and back-end debt-to-income ratios — the standard mortgage-qualification metrics — from income, housing cost, and other debt payments.

Front-end ratio (housing only)
25%
Back-end ratio (all debt)
33.3%
Total monthly debt
$2,000.00
Where this falls
Within the commonly cited 36% back-end guideline

How it works

Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio compares your recurring monthly debt to your gross monthly income, and mortgage lenders typically look at two versions of it. The front-end ratio is housing cost alone: housing payment ÷ gross monthly income. The back-end ratio adds every other recurring debt payment (car loans, credit cards, student loans, and similar) on top: (housing payment + other monthly debt) ÷ gross monthly income.

This calculator doesn't total up your individual debts for you — enter your other monthly debt payments already summed, since the exact list of what counts varies (a lender's definition may differ from a rough personal estimate).

The 'where this falls' line references the long-standing 28/36 rule of thumb (back-end DTI at or under 36% is commonly considered comfortable, with ~43% cited as a typical ceiling in much lending guidance) — a widely cited guideline, not a specific lender's actual approval requirement, which varies by lender, loan program, and time.

FAQ

Why does the back-end ratio matter more than the front-end ratio?

The back-end ratio reflects your total debt burden, not just housing, so it's a fuller picture of how much of your income is already committed before considering a new loan. Lenders typically weigh both, but back-end is generally the more binding constraint since it can't be lower than the front-end ratio.

Does a lower DTI guarantee loan approval?

No — DTI is one factor among several (credit score, down payment, loan type, employment history) that lenders consider, and actual approval thresholds vary by lender and loan program. This calculator only computes the ratios; it doesn't represent any specific lender's criteria.

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