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DTI Calculator — Check Your Mortgage Qualification Ratio
Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio before approving a mortgage. Know your numbers before you apply — and see exactly how much home you can afford.
Educational calculators — always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Before taxes and deductions. Include all income sources.
Include principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA.
Include all vehicle loans. Enter 0 if none.
Use current required monthly payment. Enter 0 if none.
Total minimums across all cards. Enter 0 if none.
Personal loans, medical debt, child support, alimony, etc. Enter 0 if none.
Back-end DTI
29.3%
Borderline
Front-End DTI
29.3%
Back-End DTI
29.3%
Monthly debt summary
DTI guidelines at a glance
Front-end ≤28% and back-end ≤36% is ideal. FHA allows up to 43% back-end. VA and some conventional loans allow 45–50% with strong credit.
DTI is one factor in mortgage qualification. Lenders also consider credit score, assets, employment history, and loan type. Consult a licensed mortgage professional.
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What you'll need
- ·Gross monthly income (before taxes)
- ·Proposed mortgage payment (PITI + HOA)
- ·Monthly car, student loan, and credit card payments
- ·Any other monthly debt obligations
What you'll get
- ✓Front-end DTI — Housing cost ratio
- ✓Back-end DTI — Total debt ratio
- ✓Max home payment — 28% and 36% rule limits
- ✓Qualification assessment — Excellent, good, or high?
How it works
Add your monthly debts
Include minimum payments on all loans, credit cards, and the proposed mortgage.
Enter gross income
Use your gross (pre-tax) monthly income — not take-home pay.
See your DTI and approval odds
Most lenders want front-end DTI under 28% and back-end DTI under 43%.
DTI Thresholds by Loan Type
| Loan Type | Max Front-End DTI | Max Back-End DTI |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 28% | 43–45% |
| FHA | 31% | 43–50% |
| VA | No limit | 41% preferred |
| USDA | 29% | 41% |
| Jumbo | 28% | 38–43% |
Strong credit scores or significant reserves can sometimes allow higher DTI ratios.
Authoritative resources
State guides
How this varies by state
Property taxes, insurance costs, first-time buyer programs, and closing costs differ significantly across states. See local data for your state.
California
Texas
Florida
New York
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Georgia
North Carolina
Michigan
New Jersey
Virginia
Washington
Arizona
Colorado
Tennessee
Frequently asked questions
What is a good debt-to-income ratio for a mortgage?+
Most lenders prefer a front-end DTI (housing costs only) under 28% and back-end DTI (all debts) under 36%. FHA loans allow up to 43% back-end DTI with compensating factors. VA and some conventional loans may allow up to 50% with strong credit and reserves.
What is front-end vs back-end DTI?+
Front-end DTI (housing ratio) is your proposed monthly housing payment divided by gross income. Back-end DTI (total debt ratio) includes all monthly debt payments — housing, car, student loans, credit cards — divided by gross income. Lenders look at both.
How can I lower my DTI before applying for a mortgage?+
You can lower your DTI by paying off debt (especially high-payment debts like car loans), increasing your income, or choosing a less expensive home. Paying off a car loan or credit card can significantly reduce your back-end DTI and improve your chances of approval.
Does my DTI include the new mortgage payment?+
Yes — your back-end DTI includes the proposed new mortgage payment (P&I + taxes + insurance + HOA) plus all existing monthly debt obligations. Lenders calculate DTI using the total payment you'd have after closing, not your current housing cost.
What DTI does the 28/36 rule refer to?+
The 28/36 rule is a traditional guideline: spend no more than 28% of gross income on housing (front-end DTI) and no more than 36% on all debts combined (back-end DTI). Modern lending allows higher ratios — up to 43–50% back-end on many programs — but the 28/36 rule remains a useful budgeting benchmark.
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DTI Calculator is built and maintained by the RealCostIQ editorial team. Cost ranges and rates are checked against published industry data and contractor quotes, and revised when the underlying figures move. Read our data methodology or more about who builds this. Every calculation runs in your browser — no account, and none of your inputs are stored.
Cost ranges and rates here are checked against contractor quotes and published industry data. If a number still looks off, email Support@RealCostIQ.com and we'll review and fix it.