UK Maternity Pay Calculator

Plan Your Maternity Pay

Estimate your Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and employer enhancements for the 39-week paid period.

1 Dates & Earnings

£

2 Eligibility Check

3 Your Leave Plan

4 Employer Enhanced Pay

Total Pay (39 Weeks)

Total Package

SMP + Enhanced (Gross)

£0.00

Total SMP

£0.00

Employer Top-Up

£0.00

Weeks 1-6: 90% of earnings

Weeks 7-39: Flat rate or 90% (whichever lower)

Flat rate depends on the week date (some plans may use both).

Avg. Monthly (approx) £0.00

Monthly Breakdown

Approx monthly (grouped by week start)

Month Total Pay
Enter dates to see breakdown
Note: Figures are estimates for the 39-week Statutory Maternity Pay period. Enhanced pay beyond 39 weeks is not included. Tax and NI will be deducted. Rates updated for 2024/25, 2025/26 & 2026/27 tax years.

Compare Start Dates

See Full Weekly Schedule (1–39)
Week Date Range SMP Total

Make Your Maternity Pay Go Further

Smart tips to stretch your budget and maximise your entitlements during maternity leave.

Use Your 10 KIT Days

You can work up to 10 Keeping in Touch (KIT) days during maternity leave without affecting your SMP. You'll typically be paid your normal daily rate on top. Great for attending team meetings or training towards the end of your leave.

Tag on Annual Leave

You continue to accrue holiday while on maternity leave. Add your accrued annual leave onto the end of your maternity leave to extend your paid time off, or use it for a staggered return to work.

Free Prescriptions & Dental

In England, you qualify for free NHS prescriptions while pregnant and for 12 months after birth. You're also entitled to free NHS dental care. Get a Maternity Exemption form (FW8) from your GP or midwife.

Claim Child Benefit

Don't forget to register for Child Benefit – currently £25.60/week for your first child and £16.95 for additional children. Even if you opt out of payments due to high income, registering protects your National Insurance record.

Tax-Free Childcare

Start saving now for when you return to work. With Tax-Free Childcare, the government tops up £2 for every £8 you save, up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children).

Not Eligible for SMP?

You may still qualify for Maternity Allowance (£187.18/week in 2025/26) if you've been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before baby is due. Check GOV.UK for details.

Start Saving Early

Try setting aside 10% of your average weekly earnings before tax while pregnant – this is roughly what you'll miss out on for the first 6 weeks. Consider a Fixed Rate ISA: if you open one 4 months into pregnancy, you'll have savings plus interest ready for month 3 of your leave when finances often tighten.

Review Your Subscriptions

Before your leave starts, review your bank statements for subscriptions you can pause or cancel. Streaming services, gym memberships, and delivery subscriptions all add up. Many can be paused rather than cancelled, and your gym might offer a freeze option for new parents.

Common Questions

When do I need to tell my employer I'm pregnant?
You must tell your employer by the end of the 15th week before your due date (the "qualifying week"). You'll need to confirm your due date, that you're pregnant, and when you want your maternity leave to start. Your employer can ask for proof of pregnancy (usually your MATB1 certificate from your midwife, available from 20 weeks).
What's the "qualifying week" shown in the calculator?
The qualifying week is the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth (EWC). To qualify for SMP, you must have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the end of this week. Your average earnings are calculated over the 8 weeks ending with the last payday before the qualifying week ends.
Can I start leave earlier if baby comes early?
Yes. Your maternity leave and pay start automatically if: (a) your baby is born before your planned leave start date, or (b) you're off work for a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before your due date. The earliest you can voluntarily start maternity leave is 11 weeks before your due date.
Do I have to pay SMP back if I don't return to work?
No. Statutory Maternity Pay is yours regardless of whether you return to work. However, if your employer offers enhanced maternity pay (occupational maternity pay), they may require you to repay some or all of it if you don't return. Check your contract or HR policy for the specific terms.
How do I find out if my employer offers enhanced maternity pay?
Check your employment contract, staff handbook, or ask your HR department. Common enhanced packages include 6 weeks at full pay, 12 weeks at half pay, then statutory. Some employers are generous (e.g., 6 months full pay), others offer just the statutory minimum. Toggle "Employer Enhanced Pay" in the calculator above to model your specific package.
What happens after the 39 weeks of paid leave?
You're entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave in total. The first 39 weeks are paid (SMP), but weeks 40-52 are unpaid unless your employer offers enhanced pay beyond the statutory period. Many mums use accrued annual leave to extend their paid time off, or return to work part-time initially.
Can my partner share my maternity leave?
Yes, through Shared Parental Leave (SPL). If you end your maternity leave early, you can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay with your partner. They get up to 20 SPLIT days (Shared Parental Leave In Touch days) on top of any KIT days you've used. It requires planning – you'll need to give notice at least 8 weeks before you want SPL to start.

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