Numeros
Categories Financial Calculators Health Calculators Math Calculators Date & Time Construction Engineering Physics Business Education Lifestyle Converters Generators
About

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

By · Updated

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares your total monthly debt payments to your gross monthly income. Lenders use it as a key measure of how much additional debt you can reasonably take on.

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Live
Your DTI ratio
44.2%
Total monthly debt
$2,650
Typical guideline
Above typical limit
Uses gross (pre-tax) income, as lenders typically do.

The DTI formula

DTI = (Total monthly debt payments ÷ Gross monthly income) × 100
Example

$1,800 rent + $600 car payment + $250 in other debt = $2,650 in monthly debt, against $6,000 gross monthly income: DTI = (2650 ÷ 6000) × 100 = 44.2% — above the commonly cited 36% guideline.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Enter your rent or mortgage payment.
  2. Enter your car loan and other recurring debt payments — minimum payments only, not the full balance.
  3. Enter your gross monthly income (before taxes).
  4. Read your DTI ratio against common lending guidelines.

Common mistakes

Including expenses that aren't debt payments — utilities, groceries, and subscriptions don't count toward DTI, only actual debt obligations.
Using net (after-tax) income instead of gross income — lenders calculate DTI against gross income, which gives a lower ratio than using take-home pay.

Frequently asked questions

What's considered a good DTI ratio?

36% or below is commonly cited as a healthy target, with 43% often used as a maximum for many mortgage programs. Some loan programs allow higher ratios for well-qualified borrowers, so treat these as general guidelines rather than hard rules.

Does this include the new loan I'm applying for?

Only if you include it in the debt fields above. Lenders typically calculate two DTI figures: one with your current debts only, and one including the new loan payment you're applying for.

How can I lower my DTI?

Pay down existing debt, avoid taking on new debt before a major loan application, or increase your income. Even paying off a single small loan can meaningfully improve your ratio.

Related calculators

See the complete Financial Calculators guide for the full list, or try: