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Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Enter your gross income and monthly debt payments to calculate your DTI ratio and mortgage qualification outlook.

Updated June 2026 · Editorial standards

Monthly Income & Debt

$
$
$
DTI Ratio
25.0%
Front-End DTI
18.8%
Verdict
Good

Your DTI is 25.0% (Good) — you pay $2,000 of your $8,000 gross income toward debt each month. Front-end (housing only): 18.8%.Most lenders cap DTI at 43% for qualified mortgages, with a preferred limit of 36%. FHA allows up to 50% in some cases. Front-end DTI (housing only) should ideally be below 28%.

By the KalkWise Editorial Team Reviewed for accuracy Updated June 2026

What is the debt-to-income ratio calculator (dti)?

In short

DTI ratio = total monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income × 100. Most lenders require DTI ≤ 43% for a qualified mortgage. Below 36% is preferred; above 50% typically disqualifies borrowers from conventional loans.

Calculates back-end DTI (all debt) and front-end DTI (housing only) — the two key metrics lenders use for mortgage qualification.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter gross monthly income (pre-tax from all sources).
  2. 2Enter total monthly debt payments (mortgage/rent + car + student + minimum credit card).
  3. 3Enter monthly housing cost separately to see front-end DTI.

The formula

DTI=total monthly debtgross monthly income×100
front-end DTI=monthly housinggross monthly income×100
DTI = D ÷ I × 100; Front-End DTI = H ÷ I × 100
D
— Total Monthly Debt Payments
H
— Monthly Housing Payment
I
— Gross Monthly Income

Worked example

The scenario

$8,000 gross income, $2,400 total debt (including $1,600 mortgage).

gives

The result

DTI = 30% (Good). Front-end DTI = 20% (well within lender guidelines).

Common use cases

  • Check mortgage eligibility before applying.
  • Plan debt payoff to qualify for a larger mortgage.
  • Understand how a new car loan affects home-buying power.
  • Evaluate refinancing options.

Limitations & assumptions

  • Uses gross income — lenders also verify income stability and source.
  • Different loan programs have different DTI limits (FHA allows higher).
  • Student loan calculations vary by repayment plan — IBR payments may be lower.
  • Credit score, down payment, and reserves also affect approval.

Frequently asked questions

Conventional loans prefer DTI ≤ 36% (front-end ≤ 28%). FHA loans allow up to 57% with compensating factors. VA loans have no hard DTI cap but lenders typically prefer ≤ 41%.

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.