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E&L LEGACY GROUP · CREDIT EDUCATION

UNDERSTAND YOUR
DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIO

See how your monthly debt payments compare to your income. A simple way to understand your numbers before your next step.

CALCULATE MY DTI
Instant calculationNo credit checkYour numbers stay in your browser

START HERE

A quick walkthrough.
A clearer picture.

Watch the video, then enter your monthly income and required debt payments below. Your estimated DTI updates as you type.

Let’s run your numbers

Enter monthly amounts. No signup needed, and nothing is submitted.

Debt-to-Income Calculator

E&L

Simple mobile worksheet - enter monthly amounts only.

Monthly Income

Use gross income before taxes and deductions.

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TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME $0

Monthly Debt Payments

Enter the required monthly payment, not the full balance owed.

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TOTAL MONTHLY DEBT $0

DTI guide: <36% generally strong | 36-43% moderate | 43-50% higher | 50%+ may be harder

DTI = total monthly debt / gross monthly income. Lender guidelines vary.

Usually not included: utilities, phone, groceries, gas, car insurance or subscriptions.

HOMEBUYER GUIDE — LEARN MORE

STEP-BY-STEPHow to fill out the calculator ▸

What does DTI mean?

Debt-to-income (DTI) is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward required monthly debt payments. Mortgage lenders use it to estimate how much monthly debt you can reasonably handle.

DTI = total monthly debt payments / gross monthly income

1

Enter your gross monthly income

Use income before taxes and payroll deductions. If you earn a salary, annual salary / 12 gives a simple monthly estimate. A lender decides which income can officially be used.

2

Enter the housing payment you expect

For homebuying, use the estimated NEW monthly housing payment - not your current rent if that rent will end. Include principal + interest + property taxes + homeowners insurance + HOA when applicable.

3

Enter required monthly debt payments

Use the monthly payment due, not the total balance owed. Example: if a credit card balance is $3,000 but the minimum due is $90, enter $90.

Important for first-time buyers

If you do not know your future mortgage payment yet, that is normal. A loan officer can estimate it using the home price, down payment, interest rate, taxes, insurance and HOA.

Tip: Fill out the calculator with your best estimate first. Your lender can replace estimates with official qualifying numbers later.
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WHAT COUNTSWhat counts - and what does not ▸

Usually counted in DTI

  • New housing payment
  • Auto loans or leases
  • Student / personal loans
  • Credit card minimums
  • Support / required payment plans
  • Some co-signed obligations

Usually not counted

  • Groceries and gas
  • Utilities and cell phone
  • Streaming / subscriptions
  • Routine car insurance
  • Everyday living expenses
  • Total account balances

Simple example

Gross monthly income$6,000
Estimated new housing payment$1,800
Auto + cards + student loans$700
Total monthly debt = $2,500DTI = 41.7%

How to read your percentage

Lower DTI generally gives you more room in your budget and can make mortgage qualification easier. There is no single DTI cutoff for every loan. The lender, loan program, credit profile and other factors all matter.

Under 36%Generally strong starting point
36%-43%Often workable, depending on the full file
43%-50%Higher - approval may require stronger compensating factors
50%+May be more difficult; program rules vary

Homebuyer reminder

Your future housing payment can change based on the home price, interest rate, property taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA. Even if your other debts stay the same, a higher housing payment can raise your DTI.

This worksheet is an estimate. A lender will calculate the official number under the rules for your loan program.

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BEYOND DTIWhat lenders look at beyond DTI ▸

DTI matters, but buying a home is not based on one percentage alone.

DTI is only one part of the mortgage decision

A lender may also review:

Credit:score, payment history, collections and recent inquiries
Income:how much is documented and how stable it is
Cash:down payment, closing costs and money left after closing
Property costs:taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA can change the payment
New debt:new car loans, cards or financing before closing can change DTI

If your DTI looks high

Do not assume you cannot buy a home. This calculator is only an estimate, and different loan programs can calculate DTI differently. A loan officer can tell you what matters most in your situation.

Common ways to create more room:
  • Pay down revolving debt so required minimum payments fall
  • Avoid taking on new monthly payments before buying
  • Consider a lower target housing payment
  • Use additional documented income if the lender can count it

Before you shop for a home

  1. 1. Use this calculator to understand your current numbers.
  2. 2. Ask a licensed mortgage professional for an estimated new housing payment and official qualifying DTI.
  3. 3. Before opening a new credit card, financing a car or taking a new loan, ask how the new payment could affect qualification.
Educational estimate only - not a loan approval or pre-approval. Lender and loan-program guidelines vary.
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YOUR ESTIMATED DTI
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Debt $0 · Income $0
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