.dti-calculator-container {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 0;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 8px;
background-color: #ffffff;
box-shadow: 0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.dti-header {
background-color: #2c3e50;
color: #fff;
padding: 20px;
border-top-left-radius: 8px;
border-top-right-radius: 8px;
text-align: center;
}
.dti-header h2 {
margin: 0;
font-size: 24px;
}
.dti-body {
padding: 30px;
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
gap: 30px;
}
.dti-column {
flex: 1;
min-width: 280px;
}
.dti-input-group {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.dti-input-group label {
display: block;
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 8px;
color: #333;
}
.dti-input-group .input-wrapper {
position: relative;
}
.dti-input-group .input-wrapper span {
position: absolute;
left: 10px;
top: 50%;
transform: translateY(-50%);
color: #777;
}
.dti-input-group input {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px 12px 12px 30px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.dti-input-group input:focus {
border-color: #3498db;
outline: none;
}
.dti-btn {
width: 100%;
background-color: #3498db;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 15px;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.dti-btn:hover {
background-color: #2980b9;
}
.dti-result-box {
background-color: #f8f9fa;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 6px;
border: 1px solid #eee;
margin-top: 20px;
text-align: center;
display: none;
}
.dti-result-value {
font-size: 42px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #2c3e50;
margin: 10px 0;
}
.dti-result-status {
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: 600;
padding: 5px 15px;
border-radius: 20px;
display: inline-block;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.status-good { background-color: #d4edda; color: #155724; }
.status-warning { background-color: #fff3cd; color: #856404; }
.status-bad { background-color: #f8d7da; color: #721c24; }
.dti-breakdown {
font-size: 14px;
color: #666;
margin-top: 15px;
border-top: 1px solid #ddd;
padding-top: 15px;
text-align: left;
}
.dti-breakdown p { margin: 5px 0; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; }
.dti-content-section {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 40px auto;
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.dti-content-section h2 { color: #2c3e50; margin-top: 30px; }
.dti-content-section ul { margin-bottom: 20px; }
.dti-content-section li { margin-bottom: 8px; }
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.dti-body { flex-direction: column; gap: 10px; }
}
Understanding Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
Your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio is one of the most significant metrics lenders use to assess your financial health and ability to repay money. Unlike your credit score, which measures your history of managing credit, the DTI ratio calculates your current debt load relative to your income.
How DTI is Calculated
The calculation is straightforward but requires accuracy. It is determined by dividing your total recurring monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income (income before taxes and deductions).
Formula: (Total Monthly Debt Payments / Gross Monthly Income) x 100
For example, if you pay $1,500 in rent, $300 for a car loan, and $200 in student loans, your total debt is $2,000. If you earn $6,000 a month before taxes, your DTI is 33%.
What is a Good DTI Ratio?
Lenders generally prefer lower ratios, as they indicate you have plenty of income left over after paying your debts. Here are the standard thresholds:
- 35% or Less (Good): This is the ideal range. It suggests you have manageable debt and money available for savings or emergencies. Lenders view you as a low-risk borrower.
- 36% to 49% (Manageable but Risky): You may still qualify for loans, but lenders might ask for additional documentation or offer higher interest rates. For qualified mortgages, 43% is often the highest ratio a borrower can have.
- 50% or Higher (High Risk): With half your income going to debt, you have limited financial flexibility. Most lenders will deny mortgage applications in this range, suggesting a need to pay down debt before applying for new credit.
Why Your DTI Matters for Mortgages
The "43% Rule" is a standard used by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for Qualified Mortgages. While some lenders (like FHA or VA loans) may allow higher ratios under specific circumstances, keeping your DTI below 43% significantly increases your chances of approval and helps you secure the most competitive interest rates.
Items to Include vs. Exclude
When using this calculator, ensure you include minimum payments on credit cards, student loans, auto loans, alimony/child support, and housing costs (rent or mortgage + HOA + insurance).
Do not include: Monthly expenses that are not debts, such as groceries, utilities, gas, entertainment, or taxes.
function calculateDTIRatio() {
// 1. Get Values
var income = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dti_gross_income').value);
var rent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dti_rent').value);
var car = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dti_car').value);
var student = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dti_student').value);
var credit = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dti_credit').value);
var other = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dti_other').value);
// 2. Validate Inputs (Handle NaNs)
if (isNaN(income)) income = 0;
if (isNaN(rent)) rent = 0;
if (isNaN(car)) car = 0;
if (isNaN(student)) student = 0;
if (isNaN(credit)) credit = 0;
if (isNaN(other)) other = 0;
// 3. Validation Logic
if (income <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Gross Monthly Income greater than 0.");
return;
}
// 4. Calculate Totals
var totalDebt = rent + car + student + credit + other;
var dtiRatio = (totalDebt / income) * 100;
// 5. Update UI Text
var resultBox = document.getElementById('dti_result_container');
var percentText = document.getElementById('dti_final_percent');
var statusMsg = document.getElementById('dti_status_msg');
var debtText = document.getElementById('dti_total_debt');
var incomeText = document.getElementById('dti_total_income');
var adviceText = document.getElementById('dti_advice');
// Show result box
resultBox.style.display = "block";
// Set values formatted
percentText.innerHTML = dtiRatio.toFixed(2) + "%";
debtText.innerHTML = "$" + totalDebt.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
incomeText.innerHTML = "$" + income.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
// 6. Logic for Status Message and Color
statusMsg.className = "dti-result-status"; // reset class
if (dtiRatio 35 && dtiRatio 43 && dtiRatio <= 49) {
statusMsg.innerHTML = "High Risk";
statusMsg.classList.add("status-warning");
adviceText.innerHTML = "You are above the standard 43% cutoff for qualified mortgages. You may find it difficult to get approved for new credit.";
percentText.style.color = "#d35400";
} else {
statusMsg.innerHTML = "Critical";
statusMsg.classList.add("status-bad");
adviceText.innerHTML = "Your debt load is very high relative to your income. Focus on paying down debt before applying for loans.";
percentText.style.color = "#721c24";
}
}