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Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Enter your monthly income before tax and your monthly debt payments. You get your ratio and how it compares with common lender guidelines.

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Debt-to-income ratio35%
Housing ratio25%
Total monthly debt payments$2,100
Debt payments at a 36% ratio$2,160

Within the usual 36% guideline.

Example

With $6,000 of monthly income, $1,500 for housing and $600 of other debt payments, the debt-to-income ratio is 35.0% and the housing ratio is 25.0%.

How the debt-to-income ratio calculator works

The ratio is your total monthly debt payments divided by your monthly income before tax: DTI = debt payments / gross income.

Lenders often look at two versions. The housing ratio counts only rent or mortgage costs. The total ratio adds car loans, student loans, credit card minimums and other regular debt payments.

Many lenders prefer a total ratio of 36% or less, and 43% is a common upper limit for mortgages. These are general guidelines, and each lender sets its own limits.

Common questions

What counts as debt?

Regular payments on borrowed money: mortgage or rent, car loans, student loans, personal loans and minimum credit card payments. Bills such as food, utilities and insurance are not included.

How can I lower my ratio?

Pay off a loan so its payment disappears, avoid new borrowing, or raise your income. Paying off the debt with the highest payment relative to its balance lowers the ratio fastest.

Does the ratio affect my credit score?

Not directly, because credit scores do not include income. Lenders check it separately when deciding how much to lend.

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