Mortgage Stress Test Calculator
Check whether you pass the federal stress test at the qualifying rate — not just your contract rate.
Type exact values (cents included) or drag a slider to get close. To fine-tune, click the slider and press Left arrow keyRight arrow key on your keyboard: each press moves mortgage amounts by $100 and interest rates by 0.01%.
Type an exact value from $100,000 to $2,000,000. Dragging the slider moves quickly. With the slider focused, press the left or right arrow key to move in steps of $100.
Type an exact value from 2.00% to 8.00%. Dragging the slider moves quickly. With the slider focused, press the left or right arrow key to move in steps of 0.01%.
Type an exact value from $40,000 to $400,000. Dragging the slider moves quickly. With the slider focused, press the left or right arrow key to move in steps of $100.
Type an exact value from $0 to $5,000. Dragging the slider moves quickly. With the slider focused, press the left or right arrow key to move in steps of $50.
Federally regulated lenders must qualify you at the higher payment. Alternative lenders may use different criteria — ask me about options if you're over.
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Get Exact Numbers — Free CallHow the Mortgage Stress Test Calculator Works
Since 2018, federally regulated Canadian lenders must qualify every borrower at a "stress test" rate — the greater of your contract rate plus 2%, or 5.25% — using OSFI’s B-20 guideline, even though you’ll pay your actual lower rate.
This calculator runs that exact test against your income and debts so you know where you stand before you apply.
4 Steps to Your Results
The calculator determines your qualifying rate as the greater of your contract rate + 2%, or 5.25%.
Your household income and existing debt payments determine your GDS and TDS ratios at the qualifying payment.
GDS (housing costs) must stay at or under 39% of income, and TDS (all debts) at or under 44%.
Along with your payment at both the qualifying rate and your actual rate, so you can see the gap.
A $600,000 mortgage at a 4.49% contract rate over 25 years qualifies at a stress-test rate of 6.49% — producing a qualifying payment of about $4,015/month, versus the actual $3,318/month you’d pay at 4.49%.
Against a $120,000 income with $300/month in other debts, that pushes GDS to about 44.7% and TDS to about 47.7% — both over the 39%/44% limits, so this scenario would come back "over limit" at a major bank.
From there, options include a larger down payment, a lower purchase price, paying down other debts, or exploring alternative lenders with different qualifying criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
A federal rule (OSFI’s B-20 guideline) requiring regulated lenders to qualify you at the greater of your contract rate + 2% or 5.25%, to ensure you could still afford payments if rates rise.
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Every estimate here is OAC — let's confirm exactly what you qualify for with a free, no-obligation call.
