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Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares your monthly debt payments with your gross monthly income. Lenders use it to decide how much you can borrow.
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the share of your gross monthly income that goes to debt payments. Lenders check it on almost every loan application, because it shows how much room your budget really has. This calculator turns your numbers into the percentage they will see.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your gross monthly income (before tax).
- Add your monthly debt payments: loans, cards' minimums, car payment, housing costs.
- Press calculate to see your DTI as a percentage.
How lenders read it
Under about 36% is generally considered comfortable, and many mortgage lenders prefer the housing-inclusive figure under roughly 43%, though limits vary by lender and loan type. If yours is high, the fastest fixes are paying down revolving balances and avoiding new credit before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use gross or net income?
Lenders use gross income — pay before taxes and deductions. Use the same basis here so your result matches theirs.
Do utilities and groceries count as debt?
No. DTI counts recurring debt payments: housing, car loans, student loans, card minimums, child support and similar obligations. Everyday living costs are excluded.
How can I lower my DTI quickly?
Paying off a loan entirely removes its whole payment from the ratio, which moves DTI faster than small extra payments spread across several debts.