Maternity Pay Calculator UK 2026
Planning for maternity leave? Work out exactly how much Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) you'll receive using our 2026 calculator. Whether you're calculating your standard entitlement or checking if your employer offers enhanced maternity pay, this tool gives you a complete breakdown of your maternity package—including when payments start, how long they last, and your total expected income during leave.
Maternity pay in the UK can feel complicated. You've got qualifying periods to understand, average earnings to calculate, different rates for different weeks, and you might be wondering whether you're better off financially taking the full 39 weeks of paid leave or returning to work sooner. This calculator does the maths for you, using official HMRC rates for 2026/27 to show your week-by-week maternity pay, your total SMP entitlement, and how it compares to your normal salary.
Most pregnant employees qualify for SMP if they've worked for their employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before their due date and earn over £123 per week. The payment structure is: 90% of your average earnings for 6 weeks, then £184.03 per week (or 90% of earnings if lower) for 33 weeks. Many employers also offer enhanced maternity pay on top of this—our calculator lets you add that too. If you're also managing other employment rights during pregnancy, check our Holiday Entitlement Calculator to understand your annual leave during maternity leave.
Key UK Maternity Pay Facts 2026/27
- SMP Rate (first 6 weeks): 90% of your average weekly earnings (no upper limit)
- SMP Rate (weeks 7-39): £184.03 per week or 90% of earnings (whichever is lower)
- Total SMP Duration: Up to 39 weeks of paid leave
- Earnings Threshold: Must earn at least £123 per week on average
- Qualifying Period: 26 weeks of continuous employment by the 15th week before due date
- Earliest Start Date: 11 weeks before your baby is due (29 weeks pregnant)
- Total Maternity Leave: Up to 52 weeks (39 weeks paid, 13 weeks unpaid)
Calculate Your Maternity Pay
How Maternity Pay Works in the UK
Understanding Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
Statutory Maternity Pay is the legal minimum your employer must pay you during maternity leave if you're eligible. It's separate from maternity leave itself—you're entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave (1 year), but only 39 weeks of that are paid through SMP. The remaining 13 weeks are unpaid, though some employers offer enhanced packages that pay you for longer.
To qualify for SMP in 2026, you need to meet three conditions: you must have worked continuously for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your due date (known as the "qualifying week"), you must earn at least £123 per week on average, and you need to give your employer 28 days' notice of when you want to start maternity leave, along with a MATB1 form (proof of pregnancy) from your midwife or GP.
If you don't qualify for SMP—perhaps you're self-employed, recently changed jobs, or don't meet the earnings threshold—you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance directly from the government instead. This pays £184.03 per week for up to 39 weeks and has different qualifying rules.
How SMP is Calculated: The Two Payment Rates
SMP is paid in two stages with different rates. For the first 6 weeks, you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax. There's no upper limit on this, so if you earn £1,000 per week, you'll get £900 per week for those first 6 weeks. This is the highest-paid period of maternity leave.
From week 7 to week 39 (33 weeks total), you receive the lower of either £184.03 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings. For most people earning over £204 per week (£10,600/year), this means you'll get the flat rate of £184.03. If you earn less than £204 per week, you'll continue to receive 90% of your actual earnings.
Your "average weekly earnings" are calculated by looking at your gross pay (before tax) over an 8-week period ending with the last payday before the end of your qualifying week. This can include overtime, bonuses, and commission if they're part of your regular pay, but not one-off payments or expenses.
When Can Maternity Leave Start?
You can choose when to start your maternity leave, but the earliest it can begin is 11 weeks before your baby is due (when you're 29 weeks pregnant). Most women start 1-2 weeks before their due date to have time to prepare, but you can continue working right up until your due date if you prefer and feel able.
There are two situations where maternity leave starts automatically, regardless of your plans: if your baby arrives early, your leave starts the day after birth, or if you're off work due to a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before your due date, your leave starts automatically the day after your first day of illness. This protects both you and your employer.
You must give your employer at least 28 days' notice before you want your maternity leave to start. In practice, you'll usually tell your employer by the 15th week before your due date (the qualifying week), along with providing your MATB1 form. For more on notice periods and employment rights, see our Notice Period Calculator.
Enhanced Maternity Pay: What Employers Can Offer
Many employers offer enhanced maternity pay (also called occupational or contractual maternity pay) on top of the statutory minimum. This isn't required by law, but it's a common benefit, particularly in larger companies, public sector jobs, and competitive industries where retaining talent matters.
Enhanced packages vary widely. Common examples include: full pay for 12 weeks, then SMP for the remaining period; 6 weeks at full pay, 12 weeks at half pay, then SMP; or full pay for the entire 39 weeks (though this is rare). Some employers also extend paid leave beyond 39 weeks. Check your employment contract, employee handbook, or HR policies to see what you're entitled to—it should be clearly stated.
Enhanced pay usually has a "clawback clause" requiring you to return to work for a minimum period (often 3-6 months) after maternity leave. If you don't return, you may have to repay some or all of the enhanced pay (but not statutory SMP). Read your contract carefully and consider your plans before accepting enhanced pay with strict return conditions.
Maternity Leave Duration and Returning to Work
You're entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave split into two parts: Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) for the first 26 weeks, and Additional Maternity Leave (AML) for the remaining 26 weeks. You can return to work at any point during this year, but you must take a minimum of 2 weeks off after birth (4 weeks if you work in a factory)—this is compulsory for health and safety reasons.
If you return to work within the first 26 weeks (during OML), you have the right to return to the same job on the same terms and conditions. If you return after 26 weeks (during AML), you're entitled to return to the same job, or if that's not reasonably practicable, a similar job with the same or better terms and conditions. Your maternity leave counts as continuous employment, so your length of service, pension contributions, and other rights continue to accrue.
To return to work, you usually need to give 8 weeks' notice to your employer (check your contract). If you want to change your return date after giving notice, you can, but you must give another 8 weeks' notice of the new date. If you don't give notice and just turn up early, your employer can refuse to let you start until 8 weeks have passed.
Annual Leave During Maternity Leave
You continue to accrue annual leave during your entire maternity leave period, including unpaid leave. This means if you take the full 52 weeks off, you'll return with a year's worth of holiday entitlement (28 days for full-time workers, or 5.6 weeks). Many women use this holiday to extend their time off or ease back into work with a shorter working pattern.
You can take annual leave immediately before or after maternity leave to extend your time off. Some women take 2-4 weeks of holiday before their due date (to finish early) or add holiday to the end of maternity leave (to delay return). You can also agree with your employer to take holiday during maternity leave if you want to receive full pay for certain weeks (holiday is paid at full salary, while SMP is usually much lower).
Calculate your exact holiday entitlement with our Holiday Entitlement Calculator. If your employer insists you take all your accrued holiday during maternity leave (to avoid a large holiday payout when you return), this may be unlawful—seek advice from ACAS if this happens.
What If You Don't Qualify for SMP? Maternity Allowance
If you don't meet the qualifying conditions for SMP—maybe you're self-employed, you recently started a new job, you earn below £123 per week, or you're on a zero-hours contract with irregular income—you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance (MA) from the government instead.
Maternity Allowance pays £184.03 per week (or 90% of your average earnings if lower) for up to 39 weeks. To qualify, you must have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date and have earned at least £30 per week on average in any 13 of those weeks. The qualifying rules are more flexible than SMP, making MA accessible to more women.
You claim Maternity Allowance through Jobcentre Plus using form MA1, which you can get from the government website or your local Jobcentre. You can claim from 26 weeks pregnant (14 weeks before your due date), and payments usually start 11 weeks before your due date at the earliest. If you're self-employed, you'll need proof of your earnings such as tax returns or accounts.
This calculator uses official UK government rates and rules for the 2026/27 tax year. For personalised advice on your maternity rights, contact ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) on 0300 123 1100, or speak to your employer's HR department.
Example: Maternity Pay for £35,000 Salary
Scenario
Sarah works full-time earning £35,000 per year (approximately £673 per week gross). She's been with her employer for 2 years. Her baby is due on 15 June 2026, and she plans to start maternity leave on 1 June 2026 (2 weeks before her due date). She intends to take the full 39 weeks of paid maternity leave. Her employer doesn't offer enhanced maternity pay, so she'll receive standard SMP.
Sarah's Maternity Pay Breakdown
Qualifying Week Check:
- Due date: 15 June 2026
- Qualifying week: week ending 1 March 2026 (15th week before due date)
- Employment start date: 1 May 2024
- Service by qualifying week: 92 weeks ✓ (needs 26 weeks)
- Average weekly earnings: £673 ✓ (needs £123 minimum)
- Result: Sarah qualifies for full SMP
SMP Payment Calculation:
- Weeks 1-6 (1 June – 12 July 2026): 90% of £673 = £606 per week × 6 weeks = £3,636
- Weeks 7-39 (13 July 2026 – 27 February 2027): £184.03 per week × 33 weeks = £6,073
- Total SMP over 39 weeks: £9,709
- Average per week: £249
- Average per month: £1,078
Income Comparison:
- Normal gross monthly salary: £2,917
- Average monthly SMP: £1,078
- Income reduction: £1,839 per month (63% reduction)
- Cumulative income over 9 months: £9,709 (vs £26,250 if working)
Return to Work Date:
- Maternity leave starts: 1 June 2026
- SMP ends after 39 weeks: 27 February 2027
- Unpaid leave available: weeks 40-52 (28 February – 23 May 2027)
- If returning after 39 weeks: 27 February 2027
Key Insights for Sarah
- Sarah will receive approximately 37% of her normal income during the 39-week maternity leave period
- The first 6 weeks are the highest-paid (£606/week), so financially it makes sense to ensure bills/mortgage can be managed once dropping to £184/week from week 7
- Sarah will accrue 28 days of annual leave during her maternity leave, which she can use to extend her time off or return part-time initially
- If Sarah returns after 26 weeks (during Ordinary Maternity Leave), she's guaranteed her same job back. After 26 weeks, the employer can offer a similar role if the original isn't available
- Sarah's employer contributions to her pension will continue during the paid 39 weeks, but may stop during unpaid weeks 40-52 (check pension scheme rules)
Use the calculator above to work out your own maternity pay based on your salary, due date, and employer's enhanced pay policy (if applicable). Understanding your finances during maternity leave helps you plan your budget and decide how long you want to take off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Statutory Maternity Pay in the UK for 2026?
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for 2026 is paid for up to 39 weeks at two different rates:
- Weeks 1-6: You receive 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax. There is no upper limit, so if you earn £1,000 per week, you'll get £900 per week for these 6 weeks.
- Weeks 7-39: You receive £184.03 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Most people earning over £204 per week will receive the flat rate of £184.03.
For example, someone earning £30,000 per year (£577 per week) receives:
- First 6 weeks: 90% × £577 = £519 per week = £3,114 total
- Remaining 33 weeks: £184.03 per week = £6,073 total
- Total SMP: £9,187 over 39 weeks
SMP is paid through your employer's payroll like normal salary and is subject to tax and National Insurance deductions. If your employer offers enhanced maternity pay, you may receive more than the statutory minimum—check your employment contract or company maternity policy.
Who qualifies for Statutory Maternity Pay in 2026?
To qualify for SMP in 2026, you must meet four conditions:
1. Employment Length:
- You must have worked continuously for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due (the "qualifying week")
- For example, if your baby is due on 1 August 2026, the qualifying week ends around 20 April 2026—so you need to have started work by mid-October 2025 (26 weeks earlier)
2. Minimum Earnings:
- Your average gross weekly earnings must be at least £123 per week
- This is calculated over an 8-week period ending with the last payday before the end of your qualifying week
- Earnings include basic salary, regular overtime, bonuses, and commission—but not one-off payments like expenses
3. Notice Requirements:
- You must tell your employer at least 28 days before you want your maternity leave to start (or as soon as reasonably practicable if that's not possible)
- You must provide your due date and the date you want to start maternity leave
4. Medical Evidence:
- You must give your employer a MATB1 form (maternity certificate) from your midwife or doctor, usually available from 20 weeks pregnant
If you don't meet these conditions (for example, you're self-employed, recently changed jobs, or earn below £123/week), you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance from the government instead, which pays up to £184.03 per week for 39 weeks with more flexible qualifying rules.
When does Statutory Maternity Pay start?
You can choose when to start your maternity leave and SMP, but the earliest it can begin is 11 weeks before your baby is due (when you're 29 weeks pregnant). The latest it can start is the day after your baby is born. Most women start maternity leave 1-2 weeks before their due date to have time to prepare for birth.
Automatic start triggers:
- If your baby arrives early: Your maternity leave and SMP start automatically the day after your baby is born, even if you had planned a later start date
- Pregnancy-related sickness: If you're off work due to a pregnancy-related illness (certified by your doctor) in the 4 weeks before your due date, your maternity leave and SMP start automatically the day after your first day of absence
How to tell your employer:
- Give your employer at least 28 days' notice of when you want your maternity leave to start
- This is usually done by the 15th week before your due date when you also provide your MATB1 form
- You can change your start date later as long as you give another 28 days' notice (or as much notice as possible if circumstances change)
When is SMP paid?
- SMP is paid on your normal payday like regular salary
- It's paid weekly or monthly depending on how you're usually paid
- Your first payment will be on your first payday after maternity leave starts
Example: If you're due on 1 July 2026 and want to start maternity leave on 20 June 2026, you need to tell your employer by 23 May 2026 (28 days earlier). Your first SMP payment will be on your usual payday in late June or early July.
Can I get maternity pay if I'm not eligible for SMP?
Yes. If you don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay—perhaps you haven't worked for your employer long enough, you're self-employed, you earn below the £123 per week threshold, or you recently changed jobs—you may be eligible for Maternity Allowance (MA) instead. This is paid by the government (Jobcentre Plus), not your employer.
Maternity Allowance rates for 2026:
- Standard rate: £184.03 per week for up to 39 weeks
- Lower rate: 90% of your average weekly earnings if you earn less than £204 per week
- Like SMP, MA is taxable but isn't subject to National Insurance
Who qualifies for Maternity Allowance?
- You must have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date
- You must have earned at least £30 per week on average in any 13 of those 66 weeks
- You don't need to have worked for the same employer continuously (unlike SMP)
- Self-employed people qualify if they paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions (or have a Small Earnings Exception certificate)
How to claim Maternity Allowance:
- You can claim from 26 weeks pregnant (14 weeks before your due date)
- Fill in form MA1 (available at www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance)
- You'll need your MATB1 form, proof of employment (payslips or contract), and proof of earnings (for self-employed: tax returns, bank statements, or accounts)
- MA is paid directly into your bank account every 2 or 4 weeks
If you don't qualify for either SMP or MA (for example, you haven't worked at all in the last 66 weeks), you may be able to claim Universal Credit or other benefits. Use our Universal Credit Calculator to check your entitlement.
What is enhanced maternity pay and how does it work?
Enhanced maternity pay (also called occupational or contractual maternity pay) is extra payment that some employers offer on top of Statutory Maternity Pay. It's not required by law—it's a voluntary benefit some companies provide to attract and retain employees, particularly in competitive sectors like finance, tech, law, and public services.
Common enhanced maternity pay packages:
- Full pay for 12-26 weeks: You receive 100% of your normal salary for the first 3-6 months, then drop to standard SMP rates for the remaining period
- 6 weeks full pay + 12 weeks half pay + SMP: A tiered structure where pay gradually reduces
- Full pay for 39 weeks: Rare but offered by some public sector employers and large corporations
- Extended duration: SMP plus additional payments beyond 39 weeks, taking you closer to 52 weeks of paid leave
How enhanced pay is calculated:
- Enhanced pay is usually inclusive of SMP, meaning your employer pays you the enhanced amount and then reclaims the SMP portion from HMRC
- For example: if you're entitled to full pay (£700/week) for 12 weeks and SMP for that period would be £519/week, your employer pays you £700/week and claims back £519/week from the government
- You'll receive the enhanced payment through your normal payroll
Important conditions to know:
- Return-to-work requirements: Most enhanced pay schemes have a "clawback clause" requiring you to return to work for a minimum period (often 3-6 months) after maternity leave. If you resign or don't return, you may have to repay some or all of the enhanced pay (but not statutory SMP)
- Service requirements: Some employers require a certain length of service (e.g. 1-2 years) before you qualify for enhanced pay
- Part-time return: Check if you can return part-time and still keep enhanced pay, or if it requires full-time return
Where to find your enhanced pay entitlement:
- Check your employment contract—enhanced pay should be clearly stated in writing
- Review your employee handbook or company intranet for the maternity policy
- Ask HR or your line manager for a copy of the maternity policy
- Check any collective bargaining agreements if you're in a unionised workplace
If your employer offers enhanced pay, make sure you understand the full terms before accepting it—particularly any repayment obligations if you don't return to work. Calculate the total value of enhanced pay versus standard SMP to see how much financial difference it makes to your maternity leave plan.
Data Sources & Accuracy
This maternity pay calculator uses official UK government rates and guidance for the 2026/27 tax year:
- Statutory Maternity Pay rates: GOV.UK Maternity Pay and Leave
- SMP eligibility rules: GOV.UK SMP Eligibility
- Maternity Allowance: GOV.UK Maternity Allowance
- Maternity leave rights: GOV.UK Maternity Leave
- HMRC employer guidance: GOV.UK Employer's Guide to SMP
- Pregnancy discrimination protection: GOV.UK Pregnancy Rights at Work
2026/27 Statutory Rates Used:
- SMP standard rate (weeks 7-39): £184.03 per week
- SMP higher rate (weeks 1-6): 90% of average weekly earnings
- Lower Earnings Limit: £123 per week
- Maternity Allowance: £184.03 per week
This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. Your actual maternity pay may vary based on your specific employment circumstances, pay patterns, and any enhanced pay your employer offers. For personalised advice, contact:
- ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service): 0300 123 1100 | www.acas.org.uk
- Maternity Action (charity helpline): 0808 802 0029 | maternityaction.org.uk
- Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848 | www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- Your employer's HR department for company-specific maternity policies
Your Privacy & Data Security
This maternity pay calculator runs entirely in your browser. No pregnancy, salary, or employment data is sent to our servers, stored, or shared with third parties. All calculations are performed locally using JavaScript, ensuring your personal information remains completely private and confidential.
We do not collect, track, or log any maternity leave plans, due dates, or salary details you enter into this tool. Standard website analytics may record that you visited this page, but no form inputs or calculation results are captured.
For free, confidential advice on maternity rights and pregnancy at work, contact:
- ACAS Helpline: 0300 123 1100 (Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm)
- Maternity Action: 0808 802 0029 (specialist maternity rights advice)
- Pregnant Then Screwed: Legal advice service for pregnancy discrimination at work
- Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848 for general employment rights support