What does Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator do?
Debt-to-income ratio calculator. Work out front-end and back-end DTI for a mortgage and compare them with the 28/36 rule, FHA and VA guidelines.
- Price
- Free
- Account
- Not required
- Processing
- Entirely in your browser; your data and files are not uploaded
- Works on
- Any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone
- Region
- United States (USD)
- Category
- Financial Calculators
How to use the debt-to-income ratio calculator
- Enter your gross (before tax) income per year or per month.
- Enter the monthly housing payment: principal and interest, property tax, insurance, mortgage insurance and HOA.
- Enter the minimum monthly payments on your other debts.
- Read your front-end and back-end ratios and how they compare with common guidelines.
Worked example
$96,000 income, $2,300 housing payment and $700 of other debts
Gross monthly income is $8,000. The housing payment of $2,300 is a front-end ratio of 28.75%. With $700 of car, student loan and card payments, total debts of $3,000 give a back-end ratio of 37.5%. That is above the 28/36 rule of thumb, within the FHA 31/43 manual underwriting ratios, and within the VA 41% standard.
How it works
Front-end DTI = monthly housing payment ÷ gross monthly income. Back-end DTI = (housing payment + other monthly debt payments) ÷ gross monthly income. This matches the CFPB definition: all monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income.
Assumptions
- Guidelines are shown for context, not as approval rules. Lenders and programs apply their own limits and compensating factors.
- 28/36 is a traditional rule of thumb. FHA 31/43 are the HUD Handbook 4000.1 manual underwriting ratios for scores of 580 or higher without compensating factors. VA’s 41% standard is in 38 CFR 36.4340(d), where VA also assesses residual income.
- The CFPB General QM final rule (December 2020) replaced the 43% DTI limit in the General QM definition with price-based thresholds; it became mandatory for applications received on or after 1 October 2022. Lenders must still consider DTI or residual income. Checked on 6 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Lower is safer. The traditional 28/36 rule suggests housing under 28% and all debts under 36% of gross income, but loan programs allow different limits and your own budget may need lower ratios.
Is 43% still the maximum DTI for a mortgage?
Not as a general rule. The CFPB replaced the 43% limit in the General Qualified Mortgage definition with limits based on the loan’s price. Lenders still must consider your DTI or residual income, and many set their own maximums.
What counts as debt?
Minimum payments on car loans, student loans, credit cards, personal loans, child support and alimony, plus the new housing payment. Utilities, groceries and insurance other than homeowners insurance usually do not count.
Does DTI use gross or net income?
Gross income, before taxes and deductions.
Limitations
- Lenders may count income and debts differently, for example averaging variable income.
- A ratio within a guideline does not mean a loan will be approved.