Canada mortgage tool

Canada Mortgage Stress Test Calculator

Estimate the payment used to qualify, your GDS and TDS ratios, and the maximum mortgage supported by the figures you enter. This is an estimate based on published federal rules, not a lender approval.

Rules and official sources reviewed September 20, 2026

Run the mortgage stress test

Your income and debt figures stay in this browser and are not saved or uploaded.

This calculator is for new mortgages and refinances. It does not determine whether an insured or uninsured straight switch at renewal qualifies for a stress-test exemption; the conditions differ by mortgage and lender.

Read the Government of Canada straight-switch rules

1. Mortgage details

Mortgage amountCADEnter the amount you expect to borrow, including mortgage default insurance if it will be added to the loan.

Contract fixed interest rate%Enter the rate offered by your lender. No market rate is assumed.

Amortization periodyearsChoose the amortization period your lender says is available to you.

2. Income and monthly costs

Gross household incomeCAD per yearAnnual income before tax for all borrowers.

Property taxesCAD per year

Heating costCAD per month

Condo feesCAD per monthThe official ratio calculation includes 50% of condo fees.

Credit cards and unsecured lines of creditCADEnter the outstanding balance, not the minimum payment. The calculator automatically uses 3% of the balance, the CMHC minimum; a lender may use more.

Other required debt paymentsCAD per monthEnter required monthly payments for car loans, student loans, instalment loans, support and similar obligations. For a secured line of credit, CMHC uses at least the payment on the balance amortized over 25 years at the contract rate, or the benchmark rate if unknown; confirm the amount with your lender.

Regional coverage: All provinces and territories
Rules used: Federal mortgage stress test
Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD)

See all included areas

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

Important notice

For general information and educational use only. This calculator is not financial, legal, tax or mortgage advice, a mortgage pre-approval, an offer of credit or a guarantee of eligibility. Results depend on the figures entered and may differ because of lender or insurer rules, income verification, credit history, property details, debt treatment, product terms and rule changes. Do not make a purchase offer or financial commitment based only on this estimate. Confirm current requirements and your result with a regulated lender or licensed mortgage professional.

How the Canadian mortgage stress test is calculated

Qualifying interest rate

Federally regulated banks use the higher of 5.25% or your contract interest rate plus 2 percentage points. This calculator applies that comparison automatically.

Gross debt service (GDS)

GDS divides the qualifying mortgage payment, property tax, heating and 50% of condo fees by gross household income. The published guideline is 39% or less.

Total debt service (TDS)

TDS adds other monthly debt obligations to the GDS housing costs. The published guideline is 44% or less.

Important limits

The federal stress-test comparison shown here can be used in every province and territory when dealing with a federally regulated lender. It does not replace rules used by a provincially regulated lender, and property taxes, heating, condo costs and closing costs remain local inputs. This version models a fixed-rate mortgage with monthly payments. A 30-year amortization is not available to every borrower; confirm eligibility with your lender. The calculator does not determine whether income is eligible or calculate the down payment, mortgage default insurance, rental income, credit history or lender-specific rules. It is not designed for properties with site or ground rent. Enter the mortgage principal, including any insurance premium added to the loan.

Official sources

JustFileKit is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, FCAC, OSFI or CMHC.

Frequently asked questions

Does passing this calculator guarantee mortgage approval?

No. It only checks the published GDS and TDS guidelines using the amounts you enter. The lender still reviews your credit, documents, property, income sources and its own underwriting rules.

Why do I enter the mortgage amount instead of the home price?

The stress-test payment is based on the mortgage principal. If a mortgage default insurance premium is added to your loan, include it in the mortgage amount. This avoids guessing your insurance eligibility or premium.

Is the estimated maximum mortgage also the maximum home price?

No. It is an estimate of mortgage principal supported by the income, costs, debts, rate and amortization entered. A home-price budget must also account for the down payment, mortgage default insurance, closing costs and lender eligibility rules.

Does the stress test apply to every Canadian lender?

Federally regulated lenders, including banks and federal credit unions, generally apply it. Provincially regulated lenders may use different rules. Insured and uninsured straight switches at renewal may qualify for an exemption under different conditions; this calculator does not determine that eligibility.