Free Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
Your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is one of the most important numbers lenders look at. Calculate yours in seconds and learn what it means for your financial options.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your total monthly debt payments (credit cards, loans, etc.)
- 2Enter your gross monthly income before taxes
- 3See your DTI percentage and what it means
What This Is Useful For
- • Understand how lenders and debt relief programs may view your finances
- • Track whether your DTI is improving as you pay down debt
- • Decide if consolidation or settlement is a better fit given your ratio
Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
36.7%
37 cents of every dollarThis is the share of your gross monthly income that goes to debt payments. There is no single good or bad number. Each lender sets its own limit, based on the loan type and your full situation.
DTI Breakdown
Monthly Debt Payments
$2,200
Gross Monthly Income
$6,000
High DTI? Explore options to reduce your monthly debt load.
Explore Options →Want to know more?
What Your DTI Means
Your debt-to-income ratio is the share of your gross monthly income that goes to debt payments. The math is total monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income, times 100. For example, $1,800 in payments on $5,000 of income is 36%.
What Counts in DTI
Usually included: your rent or mortgage, car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, personal loans, and court-ordered payments like child support. Usually not included: utilities, groceries, and insurance.
Front-End vs. Back-End DTI
Front-end DTI counts only your housing payment. Back-end DTI counts all your monthly debt payments. This calculator shows back-end DTI.
What DTI Do Lenders Accept?
There is no single cutoff. Limits vary by lender and loan type, and lenders also weigh your credit history, how steady your income is, and the loan amount. The CFPB explains how lenders use DTI. Check each lender's own requirements before you apply.
If Your DTI Is High
A new loan may not be approved, or it may not help. Other paths include a nonprofit debt management plan, debt settlement, or in some cases bankruptcy. Not sure which fits? Take the free debt assessment.
How to Lower Your DTI
Pay down the balances with the biggest payments, avoid new debt, raise your income, or refinance to a lower payment when that actually lowers your total cost. If you are thinking about a new loan, compare debt consolidation loans first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
There is no single good number. Each lender sets its own limit, and the limit changes by loan type. Lenders also look at your credit history, how steady your income is, and how much you want to borrow. A lower DTI generally gives you more room, but check each lender's own published rules.
How do lenders use DTI?
Lenders use DTI to see how much of your income is already spoken for before they add a new payment. Mortgage, auto and personal loan lenders each set their own limits, so a DTI that works for one loan may not work for another.
Does my DTI affect my credit score?
No. Your income is not on your credit report, so DTI is not part of your score. But high card balances compared to your limits (credit utilization) do affect your score.
How can I lower my DTI?
Pay down the balances with the biggest monthly payments, avoid new debt, or raise your income. Refinancing to a lower payment can help too, but only if it actually lowers your total cost.