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Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

Your front-end and back-end debt-to-income ratios against conventional (28/36, up to 50%), FHA (31/43) and VA (41%) guidelines — the maximum housing payment and loan you qualify for, debt to pay off and the income needed.

✅ Figures verified. Underwriting guideline ratios — 28/36 conventional rule of thumb, 43% qualified-mortgage reference, 50% Fannie Mae DU maximum, FHA 31/43 (up to 56.9% with compensating factors) — per CFPB and Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-6-02, checked 8 October 2026. These are lender guidelines, not law.
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Front-end (housing) ratio—
Back-end (total debt) ratio—
Guidelines for this programme—
Verdict—
Maximum housing payment at the guideline—
Approximate maximum loan at that payment—
Debt to pay off to reach the guideline—
Income needed for this payment at the guideline—

In short

Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income. Lenders look at the front-end (housing only) and back-end (all debts) ratios: conventional guidelines are 28/36 with automated approvals up to 45–50%, FHA allows 31/43 and up to 56.9% with compensating factors, and VA uses 41% alongside residual income. Each $100 of monthly debt removes about $15,000 of mortgage capacity at 6.5%.

Who this is for: Anyone in the US checking mortgage or loan qualification before applying.

Not tax or legal advice. Guideline ratios; actual approval depends on automated underwriting, credit, reserves and lender overlays. Maximum loan estimate assumes 6.5%, 30 years and P&I at 78% of the housing payment.
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Debt-to-income limits by loan type

ProgrammeFront-endBack-end guidelineMaximum seen in practice
Conventional28%36%45–50% with automated approval
FHA31%43%Up to 56.9% with compensating factors
VA—41%Higher if residual income is sufficient
USDA29%41%44% with GUS approval
Jumbo—38–43%Lender-specific
  • Front-end = housing payment ÷ gross income. Back-end = all monthly debt payments ÷ gross income — the one that decides approvals.
  • Every $100 of monthly debt removes roughly $15,000–16,000 of mortgage capacity at 6.5%.
  • Boost capacity by paying off small loans, adding a co-borrower's income, documenting bonus or overtime history (two years), or buying mortgage points to lower the payment.
  • Keep your own budget ratio lower than the lender's maximum — approval at 50% DTI leaves little room for taxes, childcare or saving.

See also: Home Affordability Calculator — How Much House Can I Afford?, Debt Payoff Calculator — Snowball vs Avalanche.

Sources: CFPB — What is a debt-to-income ratio?; Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-6-02. Checked 8 October 2026.

Assumptions

  • Front-end = housing ÷ gross income; back-end = (housing + debts) ÷ gross income.
  • Guidelines: conventional 28/36 (max 50%), FHA 31/43 (max 56.9%), VA 41% (max 50% shown).
  • Max loan assumes 6.5%, 30 years and P&I = 78% of the housing payment.

Worked example

$9,000 gross monthly income, $2,400 proposed housing payment, $450 car, $300 student loans, $150 cards, conventional

Front-end 26.7%; back-end (2,400 + 900) ÷ 9,000 = 36.7% — just over the 36% guideline but well inside the 45–50% automated-approval range. At 36% the maximum housing payment would be $2,340 (about $288,800 of loan at 6.5%); at the 50% stretch, $3,600 (about $444,300). Paying off $60 a month of debt — or the car loan entirely — brings the ratio under 36%; alternatively $9,167 of income would carry the same payments at 36%.

Frequently asked questions

What DTI do I need for a mortgage?

Under 36% is comfortable; conventional loans are routinely approved up to 45% and sometimes 50%; FHA allows 43% and higher with compensating factors.

Does rent count in my DTI?

Current rent is not counted when you are buying — it is replaced by the proposed housing payment. For a second home or investment property, both payments count.

Do utilities or insurance count as debt?

No. Only recurring credit obligations: mortgage or rent, car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, personal loans, child support and alimony.

How is income calculated?

Gross (pre-tax) base pay plus documented overtime, bonus, commission and self-employment income averaged over two years; rental income is usually counted at 75%.

How do lenders treat student loans in deferment?

Fannie Mae uses 1% of the balance (0.5% under some programmes) or the documented income-based payment; FHA uses 0.5% of the balance if the payment is $0.

Does my spouse's debt count?

Only if they are on the loan — in community-property states, FHA and VA count a non-borrowing spouse's debts too.

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