Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator for Mortgages
See how your debt-to-income ratios compare with each loan program's published limits and how much monthly payment room you have left.
What This Calculator Does
You get both ratios a lender checks. The calculator divides the new home's PITI plus HOA dues by your gross monthly income, then repeats the math with all your monthly debts included. It holds each result against the limit every program publishes. If you fit, you see the room left in your payment; if not, how much the payment has to come down.
Who Is This For
Built for buyers heading into pre-approval, and for agents checking a buyer before showings.
How It Works
Start with your income and the new house payment, HOA dues included. Then enter each monthly debt exactly as your credit report lists it. Optional sections cover extra income, other properties and support payments. You can also add student loans showing a $0 payment and your household size for a VA loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What DTI do lenders accept?
It depends on the program. Fannie Mae: 36% under manual underwriting, up to 45% only when the credit score and reserve requirements are met, 50% through Desktop Underwriter. FHA manual runs 31% / 43%, stretching to 40% / 50% with compensating factors. VA uses 41%, USDA 29% / 41%. Automated approvals may go higher.
Front-end vs. back-end DTI: how do they differ?
Front-end DTI looks only at housing: your new house payment as a share of gross monthly income. The back-end ratio stacks your car, card and other monthly debt payments on top of that payment. Utilities, your phone and groceries stay out. So do insurance bills outside the house payment and the rent you'll stop paying once you move.
How does a $0 student loan payment count toward DTI?
It varies. On a deferred loan, Fannie Mae counts 1% of the balance each month, or $0 if an income-driven plan is documented. FHA and USDA use 0.5%, scaled from Fannie Mae's 1%. VA takes 5% of the balance a year, divided by 12, and nothing if deferral runs 12 months or more past closing.
What is VA residual income?
It's the money left each month after taxes, the new house payment, your debts and upkeep come out of your income. Florida sits in VA's South region. There, a household of four borrowing $80,000 or more needs $1,003 a month under the VA guideline. If DTI tops 41% but residual income runs 20% above that guideline, no supervisor has to justify the approval.