๐Ÿ’ฐ Finance & Money

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Calculate your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio โ€” the number lenders use to approve mortgages and loans. See where you fall and what lenders look for.

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Back-End DTI (All Debts)

38.3%

Manageable / Caution

Your DTI is within range for many lenders, but you may face tighter scrutiny or slightly higher rates. Paying down debt before applying could help.

Front-End DTI (Housing Only)

25.0%

Lenders prefer โ‰ค 28%

Total Monthly Debt

$2,300

of $6,000 gross income

DTI Benchmark Guide

โ‰ค 36%Healthy
37โ€“43%Manageable / Caution
> 43%High โ€” may hurt approval

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good debt-to-income ratio?

Lenders generally consider a back-end DTI of 36% or below to be healthy. Ratios between 37โ€“43% are manageable but may raise flags, and anything above 43% can make it difficult to qualify for conventional mortgages and other credit products.

What's the difference between front-end and back-end DTI?

Front-end DTI (also called the housing ratio) measures only your housing costsโ€”rent or mortgage paymentโ€”as a percentage of gross income. Back-end DTI includes ALL monthly debt obligations: housing, auto loans, student loans, credit cards, and other payments. Lenders evaluate both, but back-end DTI carries more weight.

How does DTI affect getting a mortgage?

Conventional loan guidelines typically cap back-end DTI at 43โ€“50%, though lenders prefer 36%. FHA loans allow up to 43% (sometimes 50% with compensating factors). A high DTI doesn't automatically disqualify you, but it often means higher rates, stricter scrutiny, or the need for a larger down payment. Reducing debt or increasing income before applying can meaningfully improve your options.