Statutory maternity pay calculator (UK)
This maternity pay calculator works out the Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) your employer must pay you in the 2026/27 tax year. Enter your average earnings before tax – per week, month or year – and see the weekly amounts for the first 6 weeks and the following 33 weeks, and the total for all 39 weeks.
Example: Your average earnings before tax 2,500 £ · Amount is: per month → Total SMP over 39 weeks: £9,527.94. Source: GOV.UK – Maternity pay and leave: pay (39 weeks, 90% for 6 weeks, £194.32 or 90% for 33 weeks). Updated: .
How it is calculated
Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax for the first 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings – whichever is lower – for the next 33 weeks. There is no upper limit on the first 6 weeks.
How to use the maternity pay calculator
- Enter your average earnings before tax. You can enter them per week, per month or per year; a monthly amount is converted with × 12 ÷ 52.
- Read the weekly amounts for each phase and the total for 39 weeks.
- If the calculator says your earnings are below £129 a week, look at Maternity Allowance instead.
SMP rates 2026/27
| Weeks | Weekly SMP |
|---|---|
| 1 to 6 | 90% of average weekly earnings |
| 7 to 39 | £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower |
Example with the preset values
A salary of £2,500 a month is £30,000 a year or £576.92 a week. 90% of that is £519.23 a week for 6 weeks (£3,115.38). For the next 33 weeks the flat rate of £194.32 is lower, so you get £6,412.56. Total SMP before tax: £9,527.94.
Who gets Statutory Maternity Pay?
You need to be an employee earning on average at least £129 a week, give your employer the right notice and proof of pregnancy, and have worked for that employer continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the “qualifying week” – the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth. SMP can start up to 11 weeks before the due week.
What this calculator does not include
- Enhanced or occupational maternity pay from your employer (common in the NHS, teaching and large companies) – it is paid on top of or instead of SMP under your contract.
- Pay rises during the calculation period, which can increase SMP.
- Tax and National Insurance on SMP – see the UK take-home pay calculator for a rough idea.
Planning around the birth? The due date calculator shows the expected week of childbirth, and the child benefit calculator shows what you get once the baby is born.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Statutory Maternity Pay in 2026?
90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week (or 90% if that is less) for 33 weeks.
How long is maternity pay paid for?
Up to 39 weeks. Maternity leave itself can last up to 52 weeks; the last 13 weeks are normally unpaid unless your employer pays more.
What if I earn less than £129 a week?
You do not qualify for SMP, but you may get Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus.
Is maternity pay taxed?
Yes. SMP is paid through payroll, and income tax and National Insurance are deducted as from normal wages.
How are average weekly earnings worked out?
Usually from your gross pay in the 8 weeks (or 2 monthly pay days) up to the end of the qualifying week, divided to a weekly figure. Your payslips or your employer can confirm the amount.
Can my employer pay more than SMP?
Yes. Many employers offer enhanced maternity pay in the contract, for example full pay for a number of weeks. This calculator shows the statutory minimum.
Sources and legal basis
- GOV.UK – Maternity pay and leave: pay (39 weeks, 90% for 6 weeks, £194.32 or 90% for 33 weeks)
- GOV.UK – Maternity pay and leave: eligibility (average earnings of at least £129 a week, 26 weeks’ service)
- GOV.UK – Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (Statutory Maternity Pay £194.32)
As of: · Editorial policy
Related tools
- UK take-home pay calculator 2026/27Work out your UK take-home pay for 2026/27: income tax (incl. Scotland), National Insurance, student loan and pension, checked against HMRC’s own calculator.
- Child benefit calculator (UK)UK child benefit calculator 2026/27: weekly and yearly Child Benefit for your children and the High Income Child Benefit Charge if you earn over £60,000.
- Holiday entitlement calculator (UK)UK holiday entitlement calculator: statutory annual leave in days and hours for full-time, part-time and irregular hours, and pro rata for part of a year.
- Statutory redundancy pay calculator (UK)Redundancy pay calculator for England, Scotland and Wales: statutory redundancy pay from age, full years of service and weekly pay, capped at £751 a week.
- Due Date CalculatorEstimate your due date from the last menstrual period (with cycle length) or conception date – plus current pregnancy week, trimester and days to go.
- Pregnancy Week CalculatorHow many weeks pregnant am I? Work out your pregnancy week from the last period or due date – weeks and days, trimester, month and days until the due date.
- Resume builder: US resume or UK CV with four clean layoutsFree resume builder for a US resume or UK CV: four layouts, optional photo, export as PDF or Word. No account, and your data stays on your own device.
- Statutory sick pay calculator 2026Statutory sick pay calculator for 2026/27: £123.25 a week or 80% of your average earnings, paid from day one, with daily rate and total for up to 28 weeks.
- Gratuity calculator (India)Gratuity calculator for India under the new Labour Code: 15 days’ wages per year of service (monthly wages ÷ 26 × 15), rounding of months and the ₹20 lakh cap.