DTI Ratio Calculator 2026 | HomeAffordabilityCalc.info

Q: Do student loans affect my debt-to-income ratio?

Yes — student loans count based on your minimum required payment. If in deferment, FHA and USDA lenders count 1% of the outstanding balance per month as the payment.

Q: How does credit card debt affect my mortgage DTI?

Credit cards count based on the minimum payment, not the full balance. Paying cards to under 30% utilization improves both DTI (if minimums drop) and your credit score.

DTI Ratio Calculator for Home Buying

Your Income

Gross Monthly Income

Or $85,000 ÷ 12 = $7,083/mo

Estimated Housing Payment

Estimated PITI (P&I + taxes + insurance)

Monthly Debts

Car Loan Payment

Student Loan Payment

Credit Card Minimums

Minimum payments only, not balances

Other Monthly Debts

Personal loans, alimony, child support

Front-End DTI

—

28% limit

Back-End DTI

—

36% limit

Front-End DTI 0%Limit: 28% conventional

Back-End DTI 0%Limit: 36%–43% by program

Loan Program Eligibility by DTI
Program	Max Front-End	Max Back-End	Your Status
Conventional	28%	45–50%	—
FHA	31%	43–50%	—
VA	No limit	41% (residual)	—
USDA	29%	41%	—

Debt Payoff Impact: If I paid off my car loan...

Back-End DTI would drop to: — Max home price increase: —

Model a different debt payoff: $350/mo

Estimates only. Consult a licensed mortgage professional.

Understanding DTI: The Number That Controls Your Mortgage

Your debt-to-income ratio is the single most controllable factor in mortgage qualification. DTI is simply your total monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. There are two types: front-end DTI (housing costs only) and back-end DTI (all debts including housing). Conventional lenders typically require front-end DTI under 28% and back-end DTI under 43–45%.

How to Calculate Your DTI Right Now

Add up all your minimum monthly debt payments: car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, personal loans. Do NOT include utilities, groceries, or subscriptions. Divide that total by your gross monthly income. Then add your estimated mortgage payment to find your projected back-end DTI.

The Fastest Way to Improve Your DTI Before Buying

Pay off the debt with the highest monthly payment first (not necessarily the highest balance). Every $100 you remove from monthly debts adds roughly $15,000–$18,000 to your qualified home price. If you're already in good shape, use our mortgage affordability calculator to translate your clean DTI into a specific loan amount.

DTI Limits by Loan Type

Conventional loans: max 45–50% back-end DTI. FHA loans: max 43% standard, up to 50% with compensating factors. VA loans: no hard DTI limit, but residual income requirements apply. Jumbo loans: most require under 43% back-end DTI regardless. See our down payment calculator and budget planner for more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good debt-to-income ratio for buying a house?

A front-end DTI under 28% is considered good. A back-end DTI under 36% is excellent, under 43% is acceptable for most loan programs, and above 50% will disqualify you from most qualified mortgages.

Do student loans affect my debt-to-income ratio?

Yes — student loans count against your DTI based on your minimum required payment. If your loans are in deferment or forbearance, FHA and USDA lenders count 1% of the outstanding balance per month as the payment — even if you're not currently making payments.

Can I get a mortgage with 50% DTI?

Some lenders will approve mortgages with back-end DTI up to 50%, but it requires compensating factors: credit score above 720, significant cash reserves (12+ months PITI in savings), or a large down payment (20%+). At 50% DTI, you're allocating half your gross income to debt service.

How does credit card debt affect my mortgage DTI?

Credit cards count based on the minimum payment shown on your statement, not the full balance. Paying down credit cards to under 30% utilization improves both your DTI (if minimums drop) and your credit score. Use our mortgage affordability calculator to see the dollar impact.

Last updated: May 2026

Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator