Free Tool
See the ratio lenders care about most. Enter your income and monthly debts to get your front-end and back-end DTI and where you stand.
Estimate only. Lenders verify income and debts from documents and your credit report.
Back-end DTI — all monthly debts including the mortgage, divided by gross income — is the number lenders weigh most. Under 43% fits most conventional loans; under 36% is strong; up to 50% works on some FHA and non-QM programs. Front-end DTI counts only housing.
DTI a little high? Non-QM options like bank statement and DSCR loans allow higher ratios (DSCR uses no DTI at all). See what you qualify for.
Most lenders want your back-end DTI — all monthly debts including the new mortgage — under about 43%, though some programs allow up to 50%. Under 36% is considered strong. A lower DTI improves your approval odds and your rate. This calculator shows both your front-end and back-end DTI.
Divide your total monthly debt payments by your gross (pre-tax) monthly income, then multiply by 100. Front-end DTI counts only housing; back-end DTI counts housing plus car loans, credit cards, student loans, and other debts. Lenders focus mostly on back-end DTI.
Lenders count your proposed mortgage payment plus minimum payments on car loans, credit cards, student loans, personal loans, and child support or alimony. They do not count utilities, groceries, insurance, or taxes. Only debts that appear on your credit report or court orders count.
Yes — non-QM programs (bank statement, DSCR, asset-based) and FHA can allow higher DTI than conventional, sometimes to 50% or, for DSCR, no DTI at all since it qualifies on rent. If your DTI is high, a broker can match you to the program that still approves you.
Your DTI is one piece — a quick pre-qualification gives you the real answer across many programs.