Estimate only — not an appraisal, loan offer, or tax advice. Numbers stay in your browser.

Underwrite

Debt service coverage ratio calculator

DSCR tells a lender (and you) whether the property's income covers the payment. Formula is simple: NOI ÷ annual debt service. This page is the formula explainer with a working calculator - aimed at rental / investment underwriting, not a DSCR loan shop funnel.

Assumptions

Returns stack

Annual debt service
DSCR
Hurdle
1.20

When to use

Learning the ratio before a broker call; stress-testing a payment bump; pairing with the rental-specific DSCR page when you already have NOI.

When not to

Don't treat this as a loan quote or rate lock. And don't assume your NOI worksheet matches every lender's line items without checking.

Assumptions: Default debt service is principal and interest (PI) on an amortizing loan. PITI can be toggled - label which you use. Not a loan product marketplace.

Worked examples

  • Input

    NOI $30,000
    Debt service $22,500/yr

    Output

    DSCR 1.33

    Income covers debt with cushion - typical lender comfort zone.

  • Input

    NOI $30,000
    Debt service $32,000/yr

    Output

    DSCR 0.94

    Property income alone does not cover the payment - dig before you assume approval.

Common traps

  • Lender NOI worksheets differ - match their lines.
  • IO periods inflate DSCR until amortizing starts.
  • This is not a loan product marketplace or rate quote.

Next metric

Rental-angled twin: DSCR for rental property. Build NOI on NOI calculator. Payment stack: investment property payment.

Common questions

Debt service coverage ratio - income available vs debt payments.
NOI ÷ annual debt service.
Often around 1.20+ for investor products; programs vary.
No - estimate only.

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