Debt-to-Income (DTI) Calculator

Calculate your front-end and back-end DTI ratio to see if you'll qualify for a mortgage and what home payment lenders will approve.

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Back-End DTI (Total)
35.7%
Strong DTI. You qualify for the best rates at most lenders.
Front-End DTI (Housing only): 25.7%25.7%
Back-End DTI (All debts): 35.7%35.7%
28% front-end limit
36% guideline
43% FHA max
50% hard limit
Qualification Status
Excellent
Non-Housing Debts
$700/mo
Max Housing (36% DTI)
$1,820/mo
Max Housing (43% DTI)
$2,310/mo

How to Use This DTI Calculator

Enter your Gross Monthly Income (before taxes, all sources) and your Monthly Housing Cost — this should be the full PITI: principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA. Then enter each of your monthly debt obligations.

The calculator shows both your front-end DTI (housing only) and back-end DTI (all debts), along with color-coded qualification thresholds and the maximum housing payment you can afford at common DTI limits.

What Counts as Debt?

Utilities, insurance premiums, phone bills, subscriptions, and groceries are NOT included in DTI calculations.

DTI Formula

Front-End DTI = Monthly Housing Cost ÷ Gross Monthly Income × 100

Back-End DTI = Total Monthly Debts ÷ Gross Monthly Income × 100
(where Total Monthly Debts = Housing + All Other Debts)

DTI Thresholds:
≤28% front-end / ≤36% back-end → Excellent
≤31% front-end / ≤43% back-end → Conventional limit
≤40% front-end / ≤50% back-end → FHA with compensating factors
>50% back-end → Very difficult to qualify

Example: Mortgage Application DTI Review

Jennifer's Mortgage Application

Annual salary: $85,000 ($7,083/month gross). She's applying for a mortgage with a $1,800/month PITI payment.

Gross Monthly Income$7,083
PITI (proposed mortgage)$1,800
Car Payment$380
Student Loan (IBR)$150
Credit Card Minimums$85
Total Monthly Debt$2,415
Front-End DTI25.4% ✓ (under 28%)
Back-End DTI34.1% ✓ (under 36%)
Qualification StatusExcellent — qualifies at best rates

Jennifer qualifies comfortably. If she paid off her car loan first, her DTI would drop to 28.7%, freeing up capacity for a larger mortgage if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most lenders prefer a back-end DTI of 36% or less for the best terms. Conventional loans typically allow up to 45% with strong credit, and FHA loans allow up to 57% in some cases with compensating factors. A front-end (housing only) DTI of 28% or less is excellent.
Front-end DTI (housing ratio) = Housing cost ÷ Income. It only includes PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance) and HOA. Back-end DTI (total DTI) = All monthly debts ÷ Income. It adds car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, and other obligations to the housing cost. Lenders evaluate both.
Included: mortgage PITI + HOA, auto loans, student loans (minimum payment or 1% of balance if in deferment), credit card minimums, personal loans, 401k loans, alimony, child support. Not included: utilities, phone bills, insurance, gym memberships, groceries, or other living expenses.
Yes, with compensating factors. Lenders may approve higher DTI if you have: excellent credit (740+), 6+ months of cash reserves, 20%+ down payment, substantial assets, or stable high income in a professional field. FHA loans have the most flexibility, allowing up to 57% DTI in some cases.
Fastest strategies: (1) Pay off a small loan completely to eliminate that payment. (2) Pay down credit cards to reduce minimum payments (every $1,000 of balance reduces minimums by ~$20/month). (3) Add income with a second job or documented freelance work. (4) Have a co-borrower with income added to the application. (5) Avoid new debt of any kind for 6+ months before applying.

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