How Much Can I Lend Mortgage Calculator

Reviewed by: David Chen, CFA | Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Last Updated: October 2025

Wondering “how much can I lend” (borrow) from the bank? Our how much can i lend mortgage calculator estimates your maximum purchasing power by analyzing your income and existing debts against standard lender Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratios.

how much can i lend mortgage calculator

Total household income before taxes.
Credit cards, car loans, student loans.
Estimated annual mortgage rate.
Cash you have for the purchase.
Estimated Borrowing Power
$0.00
Maximum Mortgage Amount

how much can i lend mortgage calculator Formula

Lenders use Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratios to decide how much they can lend you. This calculator typically uses a conservative 36% ratio for total debt (including the new house).

Max Payment = (Monthly Income * 0.36) – Monthly Debts
Max Loan = PV(Rate, Term, Max Payment)
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (DTI Explained)

Variables

  • Monthly Income: Annual Gross Income / 12.
  • Max Payment: The highest monthly mortgage payment a lender will allow based on DTI.
  • PV (Present Value): The math used to convert that monthly payment into a total loan amount based on interest rates.

Related Calculators

What is “How Much Can I Lend”?

While technically banks “lend” and borrowers “borrow,” many users search for how much can i lend mortgage calculator when they want to know the bank’s lending limit for their income.

This figure is often called your “Borrowing Capacity” or “Pre-Approval Amount.” It is primarily driven by your income, your existing monthly debt obligations (like car loans), and the current interest rate environment.

How to Calculate Lending Limit (Example)

  1. Calculate Monthly Income: $96,000 / 12 = $8,000/month.
  2. Apply DTI Cap: $8,000 * 36% = $2,880 (Total allowed debt payments).
  3. Subtract Debts: $2,880 – $500 (car loan) = $2,380 available for mortgage.
  4. Convert to Loan: A $2,380 payment at 6.5% over 30 years supports a loan of roughly $375,000.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I borrow more than the calculator says?

Possibly. FHA loans and some conventional programs allow DTI ratios up to 43% or even 50% with strong credit. This calculator uses a conservative 36% ratio to be safe.

Does credit score affect how much I can lend?

Indirectly, yes. A better credit score gets you a lower interest rate. A lower interest rate means your monthly payment buys you a larger loan amount.

Does the “Max Loan” include my down payment?

No. The “Max Loan” is what the bank gives you. Your “Max Home Price” would be the Max Loan + Your Cash Down Payment.

What if I have no debt?

If you have $0 in monthly debts, your borrowing power increases significantly because your entire DTI allowance can go toward the mortgage payment.

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