UK Maternity Pay Calculator 2026
Estimate Statutory Maternity Pay for 2026 to 2027 using average weekly earnings, paid weeks and leave length.
Your Estimated Maternity Pay Result
UK Maternity Pay Calculator 2026: Calculate Statutory Maternity Pay, SMP Weeks and Leave Pay
Use this UK maternity pay calculator 2026 to estimate Statutory Maternity Pay, also called SMP, from your average weekly earnings. Enter your gross weekly pay, paid maternity weeks and total leave weeks to see the 6-week higher rate, 33-week standard rate, total statutory pay and unpaid leave estimate. It is designed for employees, payroll teams, HR advisers and families planning maternity leave in the 2026 to 2027 tax year.
What Is a UK Maternity Pay Calculator and Statutory Maternity Pay?
A UK maternity pay calculator estimates how much statutory maternity pay you may receive while away from work for pregnancy and childbirth. Statutory Maternity Pay, usually shortened to SMP, is the legal minimum maternity pay that qualifying employees can receive from their employer. It is paid through payroll in the same way as wages, which means Income Tax and National Insurance may be deducted before the money reaches your bank account.
For the 2026 to 2027 tax year, SMP is normally paid for up to 39 weeks. The first 6 weeks are paid at 90% of average weekly earnings before tax. The next 33 weeks are paid at £194.32 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Statutory Maternity Leave can last up to 52 weeks, so many employees have 13 unpaid weeks at the end unless their employer provides enhanced maternity pay.
This statutory maternity pay calculator helps answer high-intent questions such as "how much maternity pay will I get", "what is my SMP weekly rate", "how many weeks of maternity pay are paid" and "what happens after 39 weeks of maternity pay". It does not replace a payroll calculation because exact average weekly earnings depend on your qualifying week, pay dates, bonuses, salary changes, deductions and employment status. It gives a transparent estimate so you can plan your household budget before speaking to HR or payroll.
Who Should Use This SMP Calculator UK 2026?
This SMP calculator UK 2026 is useful for anyone who needs a fast estimate of maternity pay under UK rules. It is especially helpful when you want to compare paid weeks, unpaid maternity leave and monthly budgeting before confirming dates with your employer. Use it if you are:
- Pregnant and employed, planning when to start maternity leave.
- Checking whether your average weekly earnings meet the lower earnings limit.
- Comparing statutory maternity pay with your employer's enhanced maternity pay policy.
- Budgeting for the final 13 unpaid weeks of statutory maternity leave.
- An HR adviser explaining SMP to employees in plain language.
- A payroll officer checking the 6-week and 33-week split before running payroll.
- A partner or family member planning household income during maternity leave.
- A part-time worker estimating SMP from lower weekly earnings.
If you are self-employed, recently left work or your employer confirms that you do not qualify for SMP, you may need to check Maternity Allowance instead. This calculator focuses on employee Statutory Maternity Pay, not Maternity Allowance, enhanced maternity schemes, shared parental pay or employer-specific benefits.
How to Use the UK Maternity Pay Calculator for SMP
- Enter your gross average weekly earnings. Use pay before tax, National Insurance, pension, student loan or other deductions. If you know your annual salary, divide it by 52 for a rough weekly figure. For a payroll-level result, use the average from the official SMP relevant period.
- Choose paid maternity weeks. SMP can normally be paid for up to 39 weeks. The calculator applies the first 6 weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings and the remaining paid weeks at the lower of £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings.
- Select total maternity leave weeks. Statutory Maternity Leave can be up to 52 weeks. If you enter 52 weeks, the calculator shows the unpaid weeks after statutory maternity pay ends.
- Confirm the main SMP conditions. The calculator can flag likely eligibility issues, but your employer decides using employment records, the qualifying week, proof of pregnancy and your notice dates.
- Review the breakdown. Check the 6-week higher rate, the 33-week standard rate, total SMP, average paid amount and unpaid maternity leave estimate.
- Export the result. Use the CSV or PDF option if you want a copy for budgeting, HR conversations or partner planning. The PDF export is designed for the result page only.
UK Statutory Maternity Pay Rates 2026 to 2027
The table below summarises the main 2026 SMP rates and rules used by the calculator. Official guidance states that Statutory Maternity Pay is based on average weekly earnings before tax, paid for up to 39 weeks, with the first 6 weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings and the next 33 weeks at the lower statutory weekly rate or 90% of average weekly earnings.
| Rule or rate | 2026 to 2027 value | How the calculator uses it |
|---|---|---|
| First 6 weeks of SMP | 90% of average weekly earnings | Multiplies gross weekly earnings by 0.90 for up to 6 paid weeks. |
| Remaining 33 weeks of SMP | £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower | Uses the lower amount for weeks 7 to 39. |
| Maximum SMP paid period | 39 weeks | Caps statutory paid weeks at 39. |
| Statutory Maternity Leave | Up to 52 weeks | Shows unpaid weeks if total leave is more than paid SMP weeks. |
| Lower earnings limit | £129 per week for 2026 to 2027 | Flags likely SMP eligibility risk if average weekly earnings are below this level. |
| Tax and National Insurance | Deducted through payroll where applicable | Calculator shows gross SMP before payroll deductions. |
Sources: GOV.UK maternity pay and leave, HMRC employer rates and thresholds 2026 to 2027, and ACAS maternity leave and pay guidance.
Maternity Pay Calculator Examples by Weekly Pay
These worked examples show how the maternity pay calculator UK applies the two SMP bands. They are simplified gross examples and do not include tax, National Insurance, student loans, pension deductions, salary sacrifice or enhanced employer maternity pay.
Example 1: £250 average weekly earnings
First 6 weeks: £250 x 90% = £225 per week, so £1,350. Remaining 33 weeks: 90% of £250 is £225, but the statutory cap is £194.32, so the calculator uses £194.32. 33 weeks x £194.32 = £6,412.56. Total estimated SMP = £7,762.56.
Example 2: £450 average weekly earnings
First 6 weeks: £450 x 90% = £405 per week, so £2,430. Remaining 33 weeks: 90% of £450 is £405, which is higher than £194.32, so weeks 7 to 39 use £194.32. Total standard-rate SMP is £6,412.56. Total estimated SMP = £8,842.56.
Example 3: £700 average weekly earnings
First 6 weeks: £700 x 90% = £630 per week, giving £3,780. Remaining 33 weeks are capped at £194.32 because 90% of earnings is higher. Standard-rate total is £6,412.56. Total estimated statutory maternity pay = £10,192.56 before payroll deductions.
Example 4: £180 average weekly earnings
First 6 weeks: £180 x 90% = £162 per week, so £972. Remaining weeks: 90% of £180 is £162, which is lower than £194.32, so the lower earnings-based rate applies. 33 weeks x £162 = £5,346. Total estimated SMP = £6,318.
UK Maternity Pay Quick Reference Table for 2026 SMP Planning
| Search intent or situation | Quick answer for 2026 |
|---|---|
| How many weeks is SMP? | Up to 39 paid weeks. |
| How long is statutory maternity leave? | Up to 52 weeks. |
| First 6 weeks maternity pay | 90% of average weekly earnings. |
| Weeks 7 to 39 maternity pay | £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. |
| Unpaid maternity leave | Usually weeks 40 to 52 if taking full leave. |
| Average weekly earnings basis | Gross earnings before tax in the relevant pay period. |
| Lower earnings limit | £129 per week for 2026 to 2027. |
| Monthly salary conversion | Annual gross salary divided by 52 gives a rough weekly estimate. |
| Does SMP include tax? | No. SMP is taxable through payroll where applicable. |
| Part-time employees | Can qualify if employment, earnings, notice and proof rules are met. |
| Enhanced maternity pay | Not included because employers set their own policies. |
| Self-employed workers | Usually check Maternity Allowance, not SMP. |
| MATB1 proof | Usually needed before SMP is paid. |
| Notice to employer | Usually at least 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. |
| Earliest maternity leave start | Usually 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. |
| Compulsory maternity leave | At least 2 weeks after birth, or 4 weeks for factory workers. |
| PDF export use | Save the calculator result for planning or HR discussions. |
| Best internal next step | Use a take-home pay calculator to estimate payroll deductions. |
SMP Eligibility, Edge Cases and Exemptions for UK Maternity Pay
Eligibility is where many maternity pay calculations become more complicated than a simple weekly rate. To qualify for SMP, you usually need to be classed as an employee, have worked continuously for the same employer for the required period, earn at least the lower earnings limit, give the right notice and provide proof of pregnancy. The qualifying week is the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth, and payroll teams use this timing to test employment and earnings.
Common edge cases include pay rises, bonuses, unpaid leave, sick leave, salary sacrifice, part-time work, variable hours, agency work, multiple jobs, fixed-term contracts and leaving employment before maternity leave starts. A bonus or pay rise inside the relevant average earnings period can increase SMP, while unpaid leave or low earnings can reduce it. Salary sacrifice can also affect average weekly earnings because SMP is usually based on earnings subject to National Insurance.
If your weekly earnings are below the lower earnings limit, your employer may decide that SMP is not payable. In that case, they should normally give you form SMP1 so you can check whether you can claim Maternity Allowance. If you have more than one employer, you may have separate SMP entitlement from each employer if the conditions are met separately. If your baby is born early or you are off work with a pregnancy-related illness near your due date, your maternity leave or pay start date can change.
Maternity Pay Deadlines, MATB1 Proof and Claim Steps
Timing matters for UK maternity pay. You normally need to tell your employer about your pregnancy, expected week of childbirth and planned maternity leave start date at least 15 weeks before your baby is due. Your employer can ask for proof of pregnancy, usually a MATB1 certificate or a doctor's letter. Midwives and doctors usually issue the MATB1 certificate around 20 weeks before the due date.
SMP can usually start when maternity leave starts. The earliest ordinary start date is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth, unless the baby is born early. Statutory rules also include compulsory maternity leave after birth: at least 2 weeks for most employees and 4 weeks for factory workers. If you are absent for a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before the week your baby is due, maternity leave and SMP can start automatically.
For practical planning, calculate your estimated SMP early, then compare it with your payslip deductions and employer policy. If your employer offers enhanced maternity pay, check whether it includes a return-to-work condition. If your estimated income drops sharply after week 6 or week 39, use the related take-home pay, rent affordability, debt and budgeting calculators below to plan cash flow before leave starts.
UK Maternity Pay Calculator FAQ: SMP Rates, Eligibility and Pay Weeks
For 2026 to 2027, Statutory Maternity Pay is 90% of average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks. For the next 33 weeks, it is £194.32 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. This calculator uses those rules to estimate gross SMP before payroll deductions.
Statutory Maternity Pay can be paid for up to 39 weeks if you qualify. Statutory Maternity Leave can last up to 52 weeks, so the final 13 weeks are usually unpaid unless your employer gives enhanced maternity pay or another contractual benefit.
SMP is based on average weekly earnings before tax, so use gross pay in the calculator. The result is a gross statutory estimate. Your employer may deduct Income Tax, National Insurance, student loan and other payroll deductions when SMP is paid.
The weekly lower earnings limit for 2026 to 2027 is £129. To qualify for SMP, average weekly earnings usually need to be at least this amount, along with the employment, notice and proof requirements.
Yes. Convert annual salary to an approximate weekly figure by dividing by 52, then enter that as average weekly earnings. For the exact payroll calculation, your employer uses earnings in the statutory relevant period, which depends on pay dates and the qualifying week.
No. Enhanced maternity pay is different for each employer. Some employers pay full salary for a period, then half pay, then SMP. Others pay only statutory maternity pay. This calculator estimates the statutory minimum only.
After 39 weeks, statutory maternity pay ends. If you take the full 52 weeks of statutory maternity leave, weeks 40 to 52 are usually unpaid unless your employer provides extra contractual maternity pay.
If your employer decides you do not qualify, they should normally give you form SMP1. You may be able to claim Maternity Allowance if you are self-employed, recently stopped working, changed jobs, or do not meet the SMP employment or earnings test.
Yes. Part-time employees can qualify if they meet the same SMP conditions. The amount may be lower because SMP is calculated from average weekly earnings. If average weekly earnings are below the lower earnings limit, SMP may not be payable.
SMP usually starts when maternity leave starts. Leave can normally start up to 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. It can also start automatically if the baby is born early or if you are off work for pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before the due week.
Yes. The calculator includes CSV export and a Save result as PDF option. The PDF export is intended to save the result page rather than the full page content, making it easier to share or keep with maternity leave planning notes.
SMP is usually paid in the same way as your normal wages. If you are usually paid monthly, your employer normally includes SMP in monthly payroll. If you are paid weekly, it is usually paid weekly.
Related UK Salary and Family Finance Calculators
Use these internal tools to plan your full maternity leave budget, payroll deductions and household affordability. These links support related search intent around maternity pay after tax, take-home pay during maternity leave, rent affordability and UK payroll deductions.
Disclaimer: Calculation methodology sourced from official government publications. See our Editorial Policy for how we build and maintain our calculators.
This UK maternity pay calculator is for general information only and does not replace payroll, legal, tax or employment advice. SMP eligibility and average weekly earnings can depend on exact pay dates, employment status, notice, evidence, salary sacrifice, bonuses and employer records. Always check your employer's payroll calculation and official GOV.UK guidance before making financial decisions.