28/36 Mortgage DTI Rule Calculator 2026

Calculate front-end (28%) and back-end (36%) debt-to-income mortgage qualification

Income & Financing Details

Qualification & Max Purchase

Maximum Qualifying Home Price
$353,696
Maximum Loan Pre-Approval: $303,696
$2,567 / mo
Max Qualifying PITI Payment
14.1%
Down Payment Ratio
Gross Monthly Income: $9,166.67 / mo
Principal & Interest (P&I): $1,969.76 / mo
Estimated Property Taxes: $353.70 / mo
Homeowners Insurance: $116.67 / mo
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): +$126.54 / mo (< 20% down)< 20% down)

Mortgage Pre-Approval Comparison by Tier & Income

Gross Income Conv (28/36) FHA (31/43) VA (41% DTI) Max PITI (Conv)
$60,000 $214,752 $234,790 $248,148 $1,400
$80,000 $265,118 $290,426 $324,170 $1,867
$100,000 $324,170 $355,805 $410,639 $2,333
$120,000 $383,222 $421,184 $497,108 $2,800
$150,000 $471,800 $519,252 $626,811 $3,500
$200,000 $619,429 $682,699 $842,983 $4,667

Key Fannie Mae, HUD/FHA & CFPB Underwriting Checkpoints

  • Fannie Mae Selling Guide (B3-6-02) & QM Rules: Conventional loans establish baseline qualifying limits of 28% front-end and 36% back-end DTI, extendable up to 45%–50% with automated underwriting compensating factors.
  • HUD Handbook 4000.1 (FHA Underwriting): FHA financing expands accessibility with higher 31% front-end and 43% back-end benchmarks with down payments as low as 3.5%.
  • Homeowners Protection Act (12 U.S.C. § 4901): Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is legally cancellable at 80% LTV and automatically terminates at 78% LTV, saving hundreds monthly.

Explore Mortgage Qualification Scenarios & Guidelines

📊 Mortgage Pre-Approval by Household Income

$60,000 Income (Max Home Price & PITI) $80,000 Income (Max Home Price & PITI) $100,000 Income (Max Home Price & PITI) $120,000 Income (Max Home Price & PITI) $150,000 Income (Max Home Price & PITI) $200,000 Income (Max Home Price & PITI)

📌 Underwriting DTI Rules, FHA/VA & 20% Down Guides

FHA (31/43 DTI) vs Conventional (28/36 DTI) VA Loan Qualification ($0 Down • 41% DTI) 28/36 Qualifying DTI Rule & Debt Impact 20% Down Payment & PMI Elimination Guide

How Mortgage Qualification Works

1

DTI Evaluation

Lenders restrict your maximum monthly mortgage payment so total debts stay within 36% to 45% of income.

2

Full PITI Sum

Approval amounts factor in principal, interest, local property taxes, homeowners insurance, and PMI.

3

Down Payment Power

Reaching a 20% down payment eliminates PMI entirely, reducing monthly fees and boosting pre-approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 28/36 rule in mortgage qualification?

The 28/36 rule is the standard underwriting benchmark where housing costs (PITI) must not exceed 28% of gross monthly income, and total debts must not exceed 36%.

Which ratio is more restrictive: front-end or back-end?

If you carry minimal recurring debts, the 28% front-end limit restricts your loan; if you carry high car loans or credit card balances, the 36% back-end limit becomes the binding ceiling.

How can I improve my qualification under the 28/36 rule?

Paying off revolving credit cards, car loans, or personal debt directly expands your back-end borrowing capacity, increasing your maximum home purchase pre-approval.