.dti-wrapper {
background-color: #f9fbfd;
border: 1px solid #e1e4e8;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 30px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
margin-bottom: 40px;
}
.dti-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 25px;
}
.dti-header h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin: 0;
font-size: 24px;
}
.dti-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.dti-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
.form-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.form-group label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-weight: 600;
font-size: 14px;
color: #555;
}
.form-group input, .form-group select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.form-group input:focus {
border-color: #3498db;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(52,152,219,0.3);
}
.dti-btn {
background-color: #2980b9;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 12px 20px;
font-size: 16px;
font-weight: bold;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
width: 100%;
transition: background 0.3s;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.dti-btn:hover {
background-color: #1c5980;
}
#dti-result-box {
margin-top: 25px;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 6px;
display: none;
text-align: center;
}
.result-good { background-color: #d4edda; border: 1px solid #c3e6cb; color: #155724; }
.result-warn { background-color: #fff3cd; border: 1px solid #ffeeba; color: #856404; }
.result-bad { background-color: #f8d7da; border: 1px solid #f5c6cb; color: #721c24; }
.dti-percentage {
font-size: 36px;
font-weight: 800;
display: block;
margin: 10px 0;
}
.dti-breakdown {
font-size: 14px;
margin-top: 10px;
border-top: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
padding-top: 10px;
}
.seo-content h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 30px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #3498db;
padding-bottom: 10px;
display: inline-block;
}
.seo-content p, .seo-content ul {
font-size: 16px;
color: #444;
}
.seo-content ul {
margin-left: 20px;
}
.seo-content li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
function calculateDTI() {
// Get Input Values
var period = parseFloat(document.getElementById('incomePeriod').value);
var grossIncomeInput = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossIncome').value) || 0;
var rent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('rentMortgage').value) || 0;
var car = parseFloat(document.getElementById('carLoans').value) || 0;
var cards = parseFloat(document.getElementById('creditCards').value) || 0;
var student = parseFloat(document.getElementById('studentLoans').value) || 0;
var other = parseFloat(document.getElementById('otherDebt').value) || 0;
// Logic Validation
if (grossIncomeInput <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Gross Income greater than zero.");
return;
}
// Calculate Monthly Income
var monthlyIncome = (period === 12) ? (grossIncomeInput / 12) : grossIncomeInput;
// Calculate Total Monthly Debt
var totalMonthlyDebt = rent + car + cards + student + other;
// Calculate Ratio
var dtiRatio = (totalMonthlyDebt / monthlyIncome) * 100;
// Rounding
dtiRatio = Math.round(dtiRatio * 100) / 100;
totalMonthlyDebt = Math.round(totalMonthlyDebt * 100) / 100;
monthlyIncome = Math.round(monthlyIncome * 100) / 100;
// DOM Updates
var resultBox = document.getElementById('dti-result-box');
var dtiDisplay = document.getElementById('dti-display');
var messageDisplay = document.getElementById('dti-message');
var debtDisplay = document.getElementById('total-debt-display');
var incomeDisplay = document.getElementById('monthly-income-display');
dtiDisplay.innerHTML = dtiRatio + "%";
debtDisplay.innerHTML = totalMonthlyDebt.toLocaleString();
incomeDisplay.innerHTML = monthlyIncome.toLocaleString();
// Status Logic
resultBox.style.display = "block";
resultBox.className = ""; // Reset class
if (dtiRatio <= 36) {
resultBox.classList.add("result-good");
messageDisplay.innerHTML = "Excellent! Lenders view this ratio favorably. You demonstrate a good balance between debt and income.";
} else if (dtiRatio > 36 && dtiRatio <= 43) {
resultBox.classList.add("result-warn");
messageDisplay.innerHTML = "Manageable. You are within the acceptable range for most mortgages, but lenders may scrutinize your finances.";
} else {
resultBox.classList.add("result-bad");
messageDisplay.innerHTML = "High Risk. A DTI above 43% can make it difficult to qualify for a standard mortgage. Consider paying down debt.";
}
}
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is a good debt-to-income ratio?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Generally, a DTI ratio of 36% or less is considered ideal. A ratio up to 43% is often acceptable for mortgage lenders, though it implies higher risk."
}
}, {
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Does DTI affect credit score?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "No, your DTI ratio is not part of your credit score calculation. However, the amount of debt you owe (credit utilization) is a major factor in your credit score."
}
}, {
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Should I use gross or net income for DTI?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Lenders almost always use your Gross Monthly Income (income before taxes and deductions) when calculating your DTI ratio."
}
}]
}
Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Enter your monthly income and debt obligations below.
Monthly
Annual
Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
0%
Total Monthly Debt: $0 /
Monthly Gross Income: $0
What is a Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio?
Your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio is a personal finance measure that compares your total monthly debt payments to your gross monthly income. It is expressed as a percentage and is one of the primary metrics lenders use to assess your ability to manage monthly payments and repay debts.
This calculator helps you determine your current standing by aggregating common debts such as housing costs, auto loans, student loans, and credit card minimums against your pre-tax income.
Why DTI Matters for Mortgages
When applying for a mortgage, your DTI ratio is just as important as your credit score. Lenders use it to determine risk:
- Front-End Ratio: The percentage of income that goes toward housing costs (rent/mortgage, HOA, insurance). Ideally, this should be under 28%.
- Back-End Ratio: The percentage of income that goes toward all debt obligations. This calculator focuses on this total ratio.
Understanding Your Results
Different lenders have different thresholds, but general guidelines include:
- 36% or Less: This is the "gold standard." Lenders view borrowers in this range as responsible and low-risk.
- 36% to 43%: This is often the upper limit for "Qualified Mortgages." You may still get approved, but you might face higher interest rates or stricter down payment requirements.
- Above 43%: While FHA loans sometimes allow higher ratios, most conventional lenders will decline applications with a DTI above 43%. This signals potential financial distress.
How to Lower Your DTI
If your calculation shows a high percentage, consider these strategies before applying for a loan:
- Pay off small debts: Eliminate credit card balances or small loans to remove those monthly minimums from the equation.
- Increase Income: Include all sources of verifiable income, such as freelance work, alimony, or bonuses, in your gross income calculation.
- Refinance: extending the term of existing loans can lower monthly payments, thereby improving your monthly DTI figure (though it may cost more in interest long-term).