Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio Calculator
Calculate your front-end and back-end DTI ratios instantly. See how lenders view your borrowing power and get actionable steps to improve your ratio.
Back-End DTI
28.3%
All debts / income
Front-End DTI
16.7%
Housing / income
Monthly Income
$6,000
Gross monthly
Total Monthly Debt
$1,700
All obligations
Monthly Income (Gross)
$6,000Monthly Debt Payments
$1,700HOUSING COSTS (FRONT-END)
OTHER DEBTS (BACK-END)
Results update live as you type.
Your DTI Ratio
Front-End DTI
16.7%
✓ Within 28% limit
Back-End DTI
28.3%
✓ Within 36% limit
Lender Qualification Thresholds
| Loan Type | Front-End | Back-End | Qualify? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 28% | 36% | ✅ Yes |
| FHA Loan | 31% | 43% | ✅ Yes |
| VA Loan | 41% | 41% | ✅ Yes |
| USDA Loan | 29% | 41% | ✅ Yes |
| Jumbo Loan | 28% | 43% | ✅ Yes |
Income vs Debt Breakdown
What-If Scenarios
- Pay off credit card ($200/mo)25.0%▼ 3.3%
- Pay off auto loan ($200/mo)25.0%▼ 3.3%
- +$500/mo income raise26.2%▼ 2.2%
- Add $1,500 mortgage payment53.3%▲ 25.0%
Understanding Your DTI Ratio
Your Debt-to-Income ratio is the percentage of gross monthly income that goes toward recurring debt payments. Lenders use it as a key metric to assess borrowing risk. Our DTI calculator computes both front-end (housing-only) and back-end (all debts) ratios instantly. Use this alongside our house affordability calculator, mortgage calculator, and rent calculator for a complete financial picture.
DTI Formula
Always use gross (pre-tax) income — lenders use pre-tax figures. Using net income will make your DTI look falsely low.
Lender DTI Thresholds
- Conventional (28/36): front-end ≤28%, back-end ≤36%.
- FHA (31/43): more flexible — allows up to 45% back-end with compensating factors.
- VA Loans: back-end ≤41% typically, no strict front-end cap.
- USDA: back-end ≤41%, some flexibility with compensating factors.
- Jumbo Loans: often stricter — back-end ≤43% or less.
How to Lower Your DTI
- Pay off smallest debts first: eliminates a full monthly minimum, not just a balance.
- Increase income: a raise, side hustle, or freelance work all count toward gross income.
- Refinance high-rate debt: lower payments without adding new principal — see our Refinance Calculator.
- Avoid new credit: before major loan applications, hold off opening new accounts.
- Larger down payment: reduces mortgage size and front-end DTI together — try the Down Payment Calculator.
Common DTI Mistakes
- Using net (take-home) income instead of gross.
- Forgetting co-signed loans — they count against your DTI too.
- Omitting minimum credit card payments even if you pay in full each month.
- Assuming low DTI = approval guaranteed — credit score matters too.
- Borrowing at the maximum approved amount leaves no cushion.
— FAQ