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Business Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator

See where your business stands with lenders before you apply for anything.

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What Is the Business Debt-to-Income Ratio?

Your business DTI tells lenders one thing: can you handle more debt? It's the percentage of monthly gross revenue that goes to debt payments. Under 35% and you're in good shape -- most lenders will work with you. Between 35% and 50%, expect pushback and higher rates. Above 50%, traditional lenders will say no and you'll be stuck with MCAs and other expensive options. This calculator shows your current ratio and how much more monthly debt your business could carry before hitting lender thresholds. Run this before you apply for anything. Knowing your DTI upfront saves you from wasted applications and hard credit pulls that drag your score down for no reason.

How to Use This Calculator

1

Enter Monthly Gross Revenue

Use your average monthly gross revenue over the last 6-12 months. Pull it from your P&L or bank deposit history -- don't guess.

2

Enter Total Monthly Debt Payments

Add up every monthly debt payment: term loans, credit lines, MCA holdbacks (multiply daily by 22 for monthly), equipment leases, credit card minimums -- everything.

3

Review Your Ratio and Capacity

See where you land against common lender cutoffs and how much additional monthly debt your business could carry.

Key Concepts

Under 35%: Strong Position

You have room to borrow. Most SBA lenders, banks, and credit unions will look at your application favorably and offer competitive rates.

35-50%: Caution Zone

You might still qualify, but expect higher rates and a lot more questions. Pay down existing debt before stacking on more.

Over 50%: High Risk

Traditional lenders will almost certainly turn you down. Your only options are MCAs and other expensive products. Focus on reducing debt before looking for more capital.

DSCR vs. DTI

DSCR uses net operating income instead of gross revenue, making it a tighter measure. SBA lenders typically want 1.25x or higher -- meaning your income is 25% more than your debt payments.

Expert Insights

Business DTI and personal DTI are different animals. Lenders want under 35% on gross revenue, but they'll also dig into your net income, cash reserves, and how old your receivables are.

Above 50% DTI? The fastest fix is killing your smallest debt completely rather than spreading extra payments around. Eliminating one payment line drops your ratio immediately.

If your business is seasonal, calculate DTI using your worst months, not your annual average. Lenders will stress-test your slow season, so you should too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Business DTI compares business debt payments to business revenue. Personal DTI compares personal debt to personal income. Lenders look at both. For SBA loans, the personal guarantee means your personal DTI is on the table too.
Yes. Multiply your daily holdback by 22 (average business days per month) to get the monthly number. Lenders count MCA obligations as debt service when sizing up your application.
Fastest moves: pay off your smallest debt entirely, negotiate lower payments on existing obligations, or grow revenue. Refinancing high-rate debt to longer terms also lowers monthly payments and improves the ratio, though you may pay more total interest.
They look at DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) of 1.25x or higher, which roughly translates to a DTI under 35-40% depending on your margins. If your margins are fat, you can carry more debt at the same DTI.

This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual results depend on your specific business financials, lender terms, and market conditions. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making major business financing decisions.

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