How it works
Use gross monthly income before deductions. Add the housing payment you want evaluated to recurring monthly debt obligations such as auto loans and minimum credit card payments. This yields a back-end debt-to-income ratio.
Inputs and units
| Input | Example value | What to enter |
|---|---|---|
| Gross monthly income | $7,000.00 | Required unit: $. Must be greater than zero. |
| Monthly housing obligation | $1,800.00 | Required unit: $. Use a non-negative value. |
| Other monthly debt payments | $500.00 | Required unit: $. Use a non-negative value. |
Worked example
Show example inputs and results
This example is generated by the same calculation engine using the starting values in the form. Your own inputs produce your own result.
- Gross monthly income
- $7,000.00
- Monthly housing obligation
- $1,800.00
- Other monthly debt payments
- $500.00
Complete example results
- Debt-to-income ratio
- 32.86 %
- Housing-to-income ratio
- 25.71 %
- Total monthly debt payments
- $2,300.00
Reading the result
Match the rate period to the payment period. Fees and taxes absent from the inputs are not added automatically; compare totals with the same cost coverage.
Use monthly obligations, not the loan balance
A $20,000 auto loan with a $400 monthly payment contributes $400 to this monthly ratio, not $20,000. Use the housing obligation being evaluated and avoid entering it again under other debt.
Compare before and after a payment change
Keep gross monthly income and housing fixed, then change other monthly debt. The difference shows how that payment affects the ratio. It does not predict approval or measure all living costs.
Compare different scenarios
Inputs held constant: Gross monthly income: 7,000 $ · Monthly housing obligation: 1,800 $.
| Other monthly debt payments | Debt-to-income ratio |
|---|---|
| 0 $ | 25.71 % |
| 500 $ | 32.86 % |
| 1,000 $ | 40 % |
Questions and answers
Can I use the example values for my own calculation?
The example values illustrate the calculation. Replace every input with your own information, especially dates, rates and the selected operation.
Does a particular ratio guarantee approval?
No. Lenders evaluate credit, assets, loan type and other conditions. A threshold alone does not establish eligibility, and different programs use different rules.
Why are some results rounded?
Results display up to 8 decimal places. Calculations use the unrounded values; very small values use scientific notation. JavaScript floating-point arithmetic can introduce tiny rounding differences.
Are my inputs sent to a server?
The calculator processes inputs in your browser. Its code does not send your values to a server.
Method sources: consumerfinance.gov
Data version: 2026-10-08 · Methods & accuracy