28
The 28/36 rule is the standard lender guideline for mortgage qualification.
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<iframe src="https://calcusolve.com/calculator/2836-rule-calculator?embed=true" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="28"></iframe> ⚖ Scenario Comparison
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📐 Formula
💡 Practical Example
$6,000/month income, $400 existing debts: Max housing = $1,680 (28%). Max total debt = $2,160 (36%). Max mortgage = $2,160 - $400 = $1,760/month ≈ $264,000 home price.
📖 About 28
The 28/36 rule is the standard lender guideline for mortgage qualification. Front-end ratio (28%) limits housing costs; back-end ratio (36%) limits all monthly debts. These are minimums — many lenders allow up to 43% back-end.
To use the 28/36 Mortgage Rule Calculator, enter your Gross Monthly Income, Existing Monthly Debt Payments (car, student loans). The calculator instantly computes Max Monthly Housing (28% Rule), Max Total Monthly Debt (36% Rule) and more. Results update in real time as you change any input — no submit button needed.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your Gross Monthly Income (e.g. 6000 in ) and Existing Monthly Debt Payments (car, student loans) (e.g. 400 in ). Results update instantly as you type — adjust any value to compare scenarios.
The Formula
Front-End Ratio: Housing ≤ 28% of Gross Monthly Income
Back-End Ratio: Total Debt ≤ 36% of Gross Monthly Income
Max Mortgage = 36% Income - Existing Debts
Worked Example
6,000/month income, 400 existing debts: Max housing = 1,680 (28%). Max total debt = 2,160 (36%). Max mortgage = 2,160 - 400 = 1,760/month ≈ 264,000 home price.
Understanding Your Result
Evaluate your result in the context of your specific use case and relevant industry standards or reference values. A single calculated result is a starting point — test two to three scenarios to understand how sensitive the outcome is to your key input assumptions. For high-stakes decisions, verify your result against a secondary source or subject-matter expert before acting.
💡 Financial Planning: Expert Principles & Risk Awareness
- All calculations assume fixed rates and idealized conditions. Real-world results vary due to market volatility, inflation, fees, and taxes.
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends consulting a certified financial planner (CFP) for decisions involving significant sums.
- Run at least three scenarios: optimistic, pessimistic, and most-likely — to understand the full range of potential outcomes before committing.
- Inflation averages 2–3% annually in the US (Federal Reserve target). Long-term projections that ignore inflation significantly overstate future purchasing power.
- Tax treatment varies widely by account type (IRA, 401k, brokerage), jurisdiction, and income level. Verify tax implications with a CPA before acting.
- Compound interest works for you in savings/investments and against you in debt. The difference of even 1% in rate, sustained over decades, is enormous.
- Emergency funds (3–6 months of expenses) should be established before optimizing for returns — financial security precedes financial growth.
- Financial projections older than 12 months should be recalculated. Interest rates, tax brackets, and market conditions shift materially year to year.
Results are for informational and educational purposes only. Always verify critical decisions with a qualified professional.