Free Calculator · Updated October 2026

DSCR Calculator

Find the debt service coverage ratio a lender will use to approve a rental property loan, with no personal income or tax returns. See whether the rent covers the payment and how big a loan the rent supports.

Purchase price or value ($)Down payment (%)Interest rate (%)Payment typeMonthly rent ($)Property tax rate (%)Insurance ($/month)HOA dues ($/month)Target DSCR

Estimates only, not a loan offer or commitment. Rates, terms and eligibility depend on credit, property, income and lender guidelines. Save Financial, NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766.

Your DSCR

–

Loan amount–

Principal & interest–

Taxes + insurance + HOA–

Total PITIA–

Monthly cash flow before other costs–

Max loan at target DSCR–

Status–

How DSCR is calculated

DSCR = monthly rent ÷ monthly PITIA

PITIA is principal, interest, property taxes, insurance and any HOA dues. A DSCR of 1.00 means the rent exactly covers the payment. Most DSCR lenders want 1.00 or higher for their best terms; some approve down to about 0.75 with more down payment and a higher rate. Lenders use the lower of the lease or the appraiser's market rent estimate, and for short-term rentals they may use 12 months of booking history.

Worked example: $900,000 rental with 25% down

Item	Amortizing	Interest-only
Loan amount	$675,000	$675,000
Principal & interest at an assumed 7.25%	$4,605	$4,078
Taxes (1.15%) + insurance	$1,038	$1,038
PITIA	$5,642	$5,116
Rent	$6,200	$6,200
DSCR	1.10	1.21

Choosing interest-only raises the DSCR because the payment is lower, which is why many investors in high-price California markets use it to qualify.

How to raise a low DSCR

Put more down to reduce the loan.
Choose an interest-only option for the first 10 years.
Buy down the rate with points.
Shop insurance; California premiums vary widely.
Use market rent from the appraisal if it is above the current lease.
Consider 2-4 unit properties, where combined rents often cover the payment better than a single-family home in coastal markets.

Who DSCR loans are for

DSCR loans qualify on the property's income, not yours, so there are no tax returns, W-2s or employment verification. They suit self-employed investors, people with many properties, foreign nationals and buyers using LLCs. For your own home instead of a rental, look at bank statement loans. Comparing deals? Try the rental property and cap rate calculators.

DSCR calculator FAQ

What DSCR do lenders require?

Most lenders want 1.00 or higher. Ratios of 1.20 to 1.25 or more usually get better pricing. Some programs go below 1.00 with larger down payments.

What counts in the DSCR payment?

Principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA dues, together called PITIA. Some lenders also include flood insurance or a management fee.

Do DSCR loans need tax returns?

No. Approval is based on the property's rent compared with its payment, plus credit, down payment and reserves.

What down payment does a DSCR loan need?

Typically 20% to 25% for purchases, sometimes more for lower DSCRs, smaller loans or short-term rentals.

Can I use a DSCR loan for an Airbnb?

Many lenders allow short-term rentals, using booking history or a market rent analysis to set the income.

Is this calculator a loan offer?

No. It is an estimate. Actual approval depends on the lender's rent figure, credit, reserves and property.