Maternity Pay Calculator UK
Estimate your Statutory Maternity Pay for 2026/27: 90% of your earnings for 6 weeks, then up to £194.32 a week for 33 weeks. Enter your average weekly earnings.
Last updated 21 June 2026 · Written and reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic
Maternity pay calculator
2026/27 — 90% for 6 weeks, then £194.32.
Estimate only — figures use the latest published UK rates. Always confirm on GOV.UK.
How much Statutory Maternity Pay will I get?
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks and comes in two stages. For the first 6 weeks you get 90% of your average weekly earnings with no upper limit. For the next 33 weeks you get the lower of £194.32 a week (the 2026/27 flat rate) or 90% of your average weekly earnings. SMP is treated like wages, so income tax and National Insurance still come off.
If you earn £600 a week, your first 6 weeks pay £540 a week (90%), then 33 weeks at £194.32. That is about £3,240 + £6,413 = £9,653 of SMP across the 39 weeks, before tax.
2026/27 maternity pay figures
| Stage | What you get |
|---|---|
| First 6 weeks | 90% of average weekly earnings |
| Next 33 weeks | Lower of £194.32 or 90% of earnings |
| Standard weekly rate | £194.32 |
| Lower earnings limit | £129/week |
| Maximum length | 39 weeks |
Source: GOV.UK — Maternity pay and leave, 2026/27 rates.
Do you qualify for SMP?
To get SMP you must have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before your due date, and earn on average at least £129 a week (the lower earnings limit). If you do not qualify for SMP — for example because you are self-employed or recently changed jobs — you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead, which is paid by the DWP.
SMP, tax and your contract
SMP counts as earnings, so income tax and National Insurance are deducted as normal — the figures above are before tax. Many employers offer enhanced (occupational) maternity pay on top of SMP, such as full pay for the first few months, so check your contract or staff handbook. You can also share leave with a partner through Shared Parental Leave. For the strict statutory minimum scheme see our Statutory Maternity Pay calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much maternity pay will I get in 2026/27?
Statutory Maternity Pay is 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then the lower of £194.32 a week or 90% of earnings for the next 33 weeks, for up to 39 weeks in total. It is paid before tax.
How is the first 6 weeks of maternity pay worked out?
For the first 6 weeks you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings with no cap. So if you earn £600 a week on average, you get £540 a week for those 6 weeks.
Do I pay tax on maternity pay?
Yes. Statutory Maternity Pay is treated like wages, so income tax and National Insurance are deducted in the normal way. The amounts shown by this calculator are gross, before deductions.
What if I don't qualify for SMP?
If you do not meet the SMP rules — for example you are self-employed or have not worked for your employer long enough — you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance from the DWP instead, worth up to £194.32 a week.
How long does maternity pay last?
Statutory Maternity Pay lasts up to 39 weeks. Maternity leave itself can be up to 52 weeks, so the final 13 weeks of leave are usually unpaid unless your employer offers enhanced maternity pay.