Front-end DTI uses only housing costs. Back-end DTI uses housing plus all monthly debts. Results are estimates.
Your debt-to-income ratio compares how much you pay toward debts each month with how much you earn before taxes. Lenders use DTI as a quick health check: the lower your percentage, the more room you have in your budget for a mortgage, auto loan, or personal loan. This page calculates both front-end DTI (housing only) and back-end DTI (housing plus all other monthly debts). You can add custom debts, switch between annual and monthly income, download a CSV of your breakdown, and learn how to interpret the result.
If you are exploring home affordability, pair this tool with our Mortgage Calculator and Loan Calculator. If you want to estimate take-home pay for a more realistic budget, try the Paycheck Calculator. Internal linking between these tools helps you move from “Can I qualify?” to “What payment fits my paycheck?” without opening a dozen tabs.
A quick rule of thumb: many lenders prefer front-end DTI at or below 28–31% and back-end DTI at or below 36–43%, depending on loan program and overall profile. Those are not hard limits; strong credit, savings, and stable income can offset a higher DTI in some cases, while variable income or limited credit history may require a lower DTI. Use the guidance here as education, not a credit decision.
| Debt | Monthly amount ($) | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Student loan | ||
| Auto loan | ||
| Credit card minimums |
Include child support, alimony, personal loans, and other recurring debts that appear on credit reports.
Tip: If your income varies, try an average over several months. If you’re paying down cards, update balances and re-calculate to see how quickly DTI improves.
This calculator is educational. Lenders apply detailed guidelines, credit scores, assets, and property factors before making a decision.
Payments that show on credit reports such as mortgages, auto loans, student loans, personal loans, and credit card minimums. Alimony and child support usually count if ordered.
No. Everyday bills don’t count toward DTI, but they still affect your real-world budget. Use the Paycheck Calculator to plan cash flow.
They’re common targets, not universal rules. Some loans allow higher DTIs with strong credit, savings, or lower loan-to-value. Others require tighter limits.
Reducing revolving balances can lower both DTI and utilization, which may help approval and pricing. Just keep some emergency cash—don’t zero out your safety net.