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How Much Can I Borrow?
Start from your budget instead of your credit score. This calculator estimates the loan amount your income can carry, and shows your debt-to-income ratio before and after.
Estimated comfortable loan amount
—at this APR and term
- Room in your budget
- —
- Debt-to-income now
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- Debt-to-income with the loan
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- Monthly payment used
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Based on keeping total debt payments at or under 40% of income after tax, capped at our $5,000 maximum.
Check my rateResults are estimates for illustration only and are not an offer of credit. Your actual amount, APR, fees and payment depend on your state, income and credit profile and are disclosed in full before you sign. All loans are subject to credit approval.
How the estimate is built
The calculator works backwards from your budget rather than from a credit score. It takes 40% of your income after tax as the ceiling for all debt payments combined, subtracts what you already pay, and converts whatever is left into the largest loan that payment could support at the APR and term you chose.
Working out your own ratio
Add up every required monthly debt payment: car loan, credit card minimums, student loans, existing personal loans and any court-ordered payments. Divide by your monthly income after tax, then multiply by 100.
| Debt-to-income | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Under 20% | Comfortable. Room for a new payment. |
| 20%–36% | Manageable for most budgets. |
| 36%–43% | Tight. A new loan needs a small payment or a longer term. |
| Above 43% | Strained. Consider paying down before borrowing more. |
What this does not tell you
Affordability is only half of an approval. We also verify identity, income and your banking history, and your state sets the maximum we can lend regardless of your budget. Rent, groceries, childcare and utilities are not counted as debt in a DTI calculation, so a result that fits the ratio can still be unaffordable in practice. Sanity-check the payment against what actually clears your account each month.
Next steps
If the number looks workable, check your rate and compare it with the estimate. If it is tight, a longer term lowers the payment, and the installment loan calculator shows exactly what that costs in extra interest.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I borrow with my income?
A common working rule is that all your debt payments together should stay at or under about 40% of your monthly income after tax. Whatever room is left can support a new payment, and that payment converts into a maximum loan amount once you fix an APR and a term.
What is a good debt-to-income ratio for a loan?
Under 36% is comfortable for most lenders. Between 36% and 43% is workable but tight. Above 43% usually means a smaller loan, a longer term, or paying something down before borrowing.
Does a higher income guarantee approval?
No. We also verify your identity, the stability of your income and your banking history, and every state caps the amount and rate we can offer. Affordability is necessary but not sufficient.
What is the most I can borrow from Loan For Any Purpose USA?
Loan amounts run from $200 to $5,000 depending on the product, your state and your income. Payday and cash advance loans cap at $1,000; installment, personal, emergency and title loans go up to $5,000.
Borrow $200 to $5,000 for any purpose
Apply in about five minutes and get a decision in minutes. Checking your rate won't affect your FICO® score.