Precis

Maternity Pay Calculator

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for 2026/27 — the first 6 weeks at 90%, then 33 weeks at the flat rate.

  • 2026/27 tax year
  • Instant results
  • Private: runs in your browser
  • Free, no sign-up
Same standard rate and 90% rule applies to Statutory Paternity, Shared Parental, Adoption, Parental Bereavement and Neonatal Care Pay for 2026/27 — this calculator's "flat rate" figure works for those too, just adjust the number of weeks.
Total SMP over 39 weeks
£0
statutory minimum — your employer may pay more
Weeks 1–6 (90% of AWE, uncapped)£0/wk
Weeks 7–39 (lower of £194.32 or 90%)£0/wk
Total over 39 weeks£0
Weeks 40–52Unpaid (unless contractual)

How Statutory Maternity Pay is worked out

Statutory Maternity Pay runs for up to 39 weeks and is split into two stages. The first 6 weeks are paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings with no upper cap at all — so higher earners genuinely get 90% of their real pay, not a flat rate. From week 7 to week 39, SMP switches to whichever is lower: 90% of your average weekly earnings, or the flat statutory rate of £194.32 a week for 2026/27. In practice that means most people above roughly £216 a week in earnings get the flat £194.32 rate for weeks 7–39, while lower earners continue getting 90% of their actual pay throughout. Maternity leave itself can run for up to 52 weeks, but SMP only covers the first 39 — the remaining weeks are unpaid unless your employer's own maternity policy tops that up, so it's worth checking your contract alongside this figure. Average weekly earnings are calculated over the 8 weeks (or 2 months, if paid monthly) ending with your "qualifying week" — the 15th week before your baby is due — not your current salary.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Statutory Maternity Pay in 2026/27?

90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks with no cap, then the lower of £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings for weeks 7 to 39 — so anyone earning more than about £216 a week settles onto the £194.32 flat rate for most of their leave.

Is Statutory Maternity Pay for the full 52 weeks of leave?

No — statutory maternity leave can run for up to 52 weeks, but SMP is only paid for the first 39 of those. The final 12–13 weeks are unpaid unless your employer offers enhanced contractual maternity pay that extends beyond the statutory minimum.

How are average weekly earnings calculated for SMP?

HMRC looks at your earnings over roughly the 8 weeks (2 months if paid monthly) leading up to your "qualifying week" — the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth — not your salary at the point you actually start maternity leave.

Does this also work for paternity or shared parental pay?

The flat weekly rate (£194.32 for 2026/27) and the "lower of the flat rate or 90% of average weekly earnings" rule are the same for Statutory Paternity Pay, Shared Parental Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Parental Bereavement Pay and Neonatal Care Pay — the difference is those don't get the enhanced 90%-uncapped first 6 weeks that SMP gets, they use the standard rule for every week.

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