Paternity Pay Calculator
Work out your Statutory Paternity Pay for 2025/26 — up to two weeks at £187.18 a week, or 90% of your average earnings if lower. See your total for one or two weeks off.
Statutory Paternity Pay
2025/26 weekly rate £187.18. Up to 2 weeks.
A guide only and before tax/NI. Check the full rules on GOV.UK Paternity pay and leave.
How Statutory Paternity Pay works
Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) gives eligible employees pay during paternity leave when their partner has a baby or they adopt. You can take one or two weeks, and from April 2024 the two weeks can be taken separately and anytime in the baby's first year. The pay is the lower of £187.18 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings — the same standard rate as maternity and shared parental pay.
For 2025/26, paternity pay is £187.18 a week (or 90% of earnings if lower). Two full weeks is therefore £374.36 gross, before tax and National Insurance. Many employers top this up to full pay — always check your contract.
2025/26 paternity figures
| Item | 2025/26 |
|---|---|
| Weekly rate | £187.18 (or 90% of pay if lower) |
| Maximum leave | 2 weeks |
| Two weeks (gross) | £374.36 |
| Lower earnings limit | £125 / week |
Source: GOV.UK — Paternity pay and leave, 2025/26.
Other parental support
If your partner is having a baby, she may be able to claim Statutory Maternity Pay or, if self-employed, Maternity Allowance. New parents on a low income should also check Universal Credit and Child Benefit, which add to household income once the baby arrives.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Statutory Paternity Pay in 2025/26?
Statutory Paternity Pay is £187.18 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower, for up to two weeks. So two weeks at the standard rate is £374.36 before tax.
How long is paternity leave in the UK?
You can take one or two weeks of paid Statutory Paternity Leave. Since April 2024 the two weeks can be taken separately and at any point in the first year, rather than in one block.
Who qualifies for paternity pay?
You usually need to be an employee, have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the qualifying week, and earn at least £125 a week on average (the lower earnings limit). The self-employed do not qualify for SPP.
Is paternity pay taxed?
Yes. Statutory Paternity Pay is treated like wages, so income tax and National Insurance are deducted in the normal way through PAYE. The figures here are gross, before those deductions.
Can my employer pay more than statutory paternity pay?
Yes. Many employers offer enhanced or full-pay paternity leave under their own policy. Statutory Paternity Pay is the legal minimum — check your contract or staff handbook for anything more generous.