DTI ratio calculator
Enter your income, proposed housing payment, and existing debts. Get front-end and back-end ratios plus a pass-fail check against the four major US loan programs.
Debt-to-income (DTI) calculator
Tells you whether your housing payment + existing debts would clear the qualification thresholds for the four major US loan programs.
Front-end DTI
26.7%
Housing / income
Back-end DTI
35.6%
(Housing + debts) / income
Room left at 36% cap
$40
Extra housing payment you could absorb under conventional rules.
| Program | Front-end limit | Back-end limit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional (Fannie/Freddie) | 28% | 36% | Pass |
| FHA | 31% | 43% | Pass |
| VA (back-end only) | — | 41% | Pass |
| Jumbo (typical) | — | 43% | Pass |
These are guideline thresholds. Lenders may approve higher DTI with compensating factors (large reserves, high credit score, low LTV).
Frequently asked questions
What is a good debt-to-income ratio for a mortgage?
Conventional underwriting prefers a back-end DTI under 36% and a front-end (housing-only) DTI under 28%. FHA allows up to 31% / 43%, and the VA caps back-end DTI at 41%. Above those thresholds you may still be approved with strong compensating factors (cash reserves, high credit, low LTV).
What counts as "debt" for DTI?
Recurring monthly obligations: car payments, student loans, minimum credit-card payments, personal loans, alimony, child support, HOA dues if not already in housing PITI. Utilities, groceries, and similar non-debt expenses do NOT count.
How can I lower my DTI quickly?
Two levers: pay off small debts (a $300/mo car loan paid off lifts your buying power roughly $50,000 at typical rates) or document additional income. Don't take on a new car loan or finance new furniture in the 3 months before applying.
Why is the front-end ratio sometimes lower than 28%?
The 28% / 36% rule is a guideline. Many lenders also apply a hard maximum on the housing payment relative to income for non-conforming loans (jumbo, asset-based) — sometimes as low as 25%.