Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio Calculator
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Your Debt-to-Income Ratio is: 0.00%
Understanding Your Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio
Your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio is one of the most critical metrics lenders use to assess your financial health and ability to repay borrowed money. Unlike your credit score, which measures your credit history, DTI measures your current capacity to take on new debt by comparing your monthly debt obligations to your gross monthly income.
Why DTI Matters for Borrowing
Whether you are applying for a mortgage, an auto loan, or a personal line of credit, the lender wants reassurance that you aren't overextended. A lower DTI generally signals to lenders that you have sufficient disposable income to comfortably handle a new monthly payment, making you a lower-risk borrower. Conversely, a high DTI suggests that a significant portion of your income is already spoken for, increasing the risk of default.
For example, if you earn $6,000 a month (gross) and your total monthly debt payments (rent, car note, credit card minimums) equal $2,400, your DTI is 40%. Lenders use this specific percentage to define loan terms and eligibility.
Interpreting Your DTI Score
While different lenders have varying criteria depending on the loan type, there are general benchmarks used in the financial industry:
- 35% or Less (Good): This is considered healthy. You likely have manageable debt relative to your income, and lenders will view you as a strong candidate for competitive interest rates.
- 36% to 43% (Manageable but elevated): You are still in a borrowable range, but you are approaching the upper limits for many conventional loans. For Qualified Mortgages, 43% is often the highest ratio allowed without compensating factors.
- Above 43% (High Risk): At this level, you may find it difficult to get approved for a mortgage or other significant loans. Lenders may view your financial situation as precarious, fearing that any unexpected expense could cause you to miss payments.
What's Included in the Calculation?
It is vital to use the correct numbers for an accurate DTI calculation. The calculator above focuses on your back-end DTI, which is the most comprehensive view.
- Gross Income: Your total income before taxes and other deductions.
- Debt Obligations: This includes housing costs (rent/mortgage principal, interest, taxes, insurance), car payments, student loans, child support/alimony, and crucially, the minimum monthly payments on credit cards—not the total balance.
Using this calculator can help you understand where you stand today so you can take steps to improve your financial footing before applying for new credit.