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padding: 20px;
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.calculator-wrapper {
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padding: 25px;
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.calc-header {
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.calc-header h3 {
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.input-group {
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.input-group label {
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.input-group input {
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left: 10px;
top: 50%;
transform: translateY(-50%);
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.input-group input[type=”number”] {
padding-left: 25px;
}
.btn-calculate {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px;
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color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 1.1rem;
font-weight: bold;
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margin-top: 10px;
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.btn-calculate:hover {
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.result-value {
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.dti-highlight {
font-size: 2rem;
color: #007bff;
text-align: center;
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Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio Calculator
Determine your eligibility for mortgages and loans.
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function calculateDTI() {
// Get input values
var grossIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById(‘grossIncome’).value) || 0;
var rentMortgage = parseFloat(document.getElementById(‘rentMortgage’).value) || 0;
var carLoans = parseFloat(document.getElementById(‘carLoans’).value) || 0;
var studentLoans = parseFloat(document.getElementById(‘studentLoans’).value) || 0;
var creditCards = parseFloat(document.getElementById(‘creditCards’).value) || 0;
var otherDebt = parseFloat(document.getElementById(‘otherDebt’).value) || 0;
// Basic Validation
if (grossIncome <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Gross Monthly Income greater than zero.");
return;
}
// Calculation Logic
var totalMonthlyDebt = rentMortgage + carLoans + studentLoans + creditCards + otherDebt;
var dtiRatio = (totalMonthlyDebt / grossIncome) * 100;
// Display Formatting
document.getElementById('displayTotalDebt').innerText = "$" + totalMonthlyDebt.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('displayIncome').innerText = "$" + grossIncome.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('dtiPercent').innerText = dtiRatio.toFixed(2) + "%";
// Status Logic
var statusElement = document.getElementById('dtiStatus');
var messageElement = document.getElementById('dtiMessage');
var statusClass = "";
var statusText = "";
var messageText = "";
if (dtiRatio 36 && dtiRatio <= 43) {
statusClass = "status-warning";
statusText = "Manageable";
messageText = "Your DTI is acceptable to most lenders, but you may face slightly higher interest rates or stricter requirements. Try to pay down some debt before applying for a large mortgage.";
} else {
statusClass = "status-danger";
statusText = "Risky / High";
messageText = "A DTI above 43% suggests you may have too much debt relative to your income. Many lenders (including for Qualified Mortgages) may decline applications with ratios in this range.";
}
// Apply Status
statusElement.className = "status-badge " + statusClass;
statusElement.innerText = statusText;
messageElement.innerText = messageText;
// Show Results
document.getElementById('results').style.display = "block";
}
What is the Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio?
The Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio is a personal finance measure that compares an individual’s monthly debt payment to their monthly gross income. Lenders use this ratio to assess your ability to manage monthly payments and repay debts. It is one of the most critical factors in mortgage underwriting, alongside your credit score.
A low DTI ratio demonstrates a good balance between debt and income. Conversely, a high DTI ratio signals that an individual may have too much debt for the amount of income earned, making them a higher risk for lenders.
How is DTI Calculated?
The formula for calculating your DTI is relatively straightforward. It is calculated by dividing your total recurring monthly debt by your gross monthly income (income before taxes and deductions).
DTI Formula:
(Total Monthly Debt Payments / Gross Monthly Income) x 100 = DTI %
Example:
If you pay $1,500 for your mortgage, $300 for a car loan, and $200 for student loans, your total monthly debt is $2,000. If your gross monthly income is $6,000, your DTI is ($2,000 / $6,000) = 0.33, or 33%.
Front-End vs. Back-End Ratio
When applying for a mortgage, you may hear about two different types of DTI ratios:
- Front-End Ratio (Housing Ratio): This only calculates your proposed housing expenses (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) divided by your gross income. Lenders typically prefer this to be under 28%.
- Back-End Ratio (Total Debt Ratio): This includes housing expenses plus all other recurring debt (credit cards, student loans, etc.). This is the number calculated by the tool above. Lenders typically prefer this to be under 36%, though up to 43% is often allowed for Qualified Mortgages.
What is a Good DTI Ratio?
While requirements vary by lender and loan type (FHA, VA, Conventional), here are the general guidelines:
- 36% or less: Considered excellent. You likely have money left over after paying bills and are viewed as a safe borrower.
- 36% to 43%: Considered adequate. You can likely get approved for a mortgage, but you might be asked to provide extra documentation or pay a higher interest rate.
- 43% or higher: Considered risky. 43% is often the maximum DTI a borrower can have to still get a Qualified Mortgage. If your DTI is in this range, you should focus on paying down debt or increasing income before applying for a loan.
How to Lower Your DTI Ratio
If your ratio is higher than you’d like, consider these strategies to lower it:
- Pay off high-interest debt: Focus on eliminating credit card balances or small loans to remove those monthly minimums from the equation.
- Increase your income: Taking on a side gig, freelancing, or asking for a raise increases the denominator in the calculation, lowering the percentage.
- Avoid new debt: Do not finance a new car or furniture before applying for a mortgage.
- Refinance/Consolidate: If you can refinance loans to a lower monthly payment (even if the term is longer), it improves your monthly cash flow and DTI ratio immediately.
{
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“mainEntity”: [{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is a good Debt-to-Income ratio for a mortgage?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Generally, lenders prefer a back-end DTI ratio of 36% or less. However, many lenders will approve mortgages with ratios up to 43%. In some specific cases, like FHA loans, ratios up to 50% might be accepted with compensating factors.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Does DTI affect my credit score?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “No, your Debt-to-Income ratio is not listed on your credit report and does not directly affect your credit score. However, high credit utilization (which is part of your credit score) often correlates with a high DTI.”
}
}, {
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What debts are included in DTI?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
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“text”: “DTI includes recurring monthly debts such as mortgages, rent, car loans, student loans, credit card minimum payments, child support, and alimony. It typically does not include monthly expenses like groceries, utilities, or gas.”
}
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