Calculator guideHow the debt-to-income ratio calculator works
This calculator measures how much of your gross monthly income goes to debt repayments:
DTI (%) = monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income × 100
Include the minimum repayments on all debts: home loan or rent-to-own, car loans, personal loans, credit cards, Buy Now Pay Later and student debt repayments.
Worked example
- Monthly repayments: mortgage $1,900 + car loan $350 + credit card minimum $150 = $2,400
- Gross monthly income: $8,000
- DTI: 2,400 ÷ 8,000 × 100 = 30%
What the result means
| Repayment DTI | General reading |
| Under 30% | Comfortable for most households |
| 30–40% | Manageable, but watch your spending |
| 40–50% | Stretched; limited buffer for rate rises |
| Over 50% | High risk of financial stress |
These are general guides, not lending rules.
Two different "DTI" measures
The figure here is the repayment ratio, common in the US and in budgeting. Australian lenders and regulators also use a second measure: total debt ÷ gross annual income. For example, $540,000 of debt on a $90,000 income is a DTI of 6. Loans at six times income or more are considered higher risk and get extra scrutiny.
Improving your ratio
- Pay down high-rate debts first (credit cards, personal loans).
- Close unused credit cards. Lenders count the full limit, not just the balance.
- Avoid new finance before applying for a home loan.
- Increase income, for example through overtime or rental income, if it's reliable and documented.
What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
For repayments, under about 30% of gross income is generally comfortable. Above 40–50% leaves little buffer.
Is rent included in debt-to-income?
For budgeting, include rent as a housing cost. Lenders assessing a new home loan look at your existing debts and the proposed loan.
How do Australian banks measure DTI?
Often as total debt divided by gross annual income. Six times income or more is considered high.
Written by Sam Alex, civil engineer. About the author