Maternity Pay Calculator UK | SMP Calculator 2025/26
Free UK Maternity Pay Calculator. Calculate Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Maternity Allowance, and enhanced maternity pay.
Last updated: February 2026
Maternity Pay Calculator UK 2025/26
Calculate your Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Maternity Allowance, or enhanced maternity pay entitlement. Updated with current UK rates.
Understanding Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
Statutory Maternity Pay is the legal minimum maternity pay that employers must provide to eligible employees in the UK. SMP is paid for up to 39 weeks, with payment structured in two phases:
| Period | Duration | Payment Rate | Example (£600/week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 6 weeks | Weeks 1-6 | 90% of average weekly earnings | £540.00/week |
| Remaining 33 weeks | Weeks 7-39 | £187.18 or 90% (whichever is lower) | £187.18/week |
| Unpaid leave | Weeks 40-52 | No statutory pay | £0.00 |
SMP Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You must have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before your expected due date (the qualifying week)
- You must earn at least £125 per week on average (Lower Earnings Limit 2025/26)
- You must give your employer at least 28 days' notice (or as much notice as is reasonably practicable)
- You must provide proof of pregnancy (MATB1 form from midwife or GP)
- You must have actually stopped work
The Qualifying Week Explained
The qualifying week is the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth. Your average earnings are calculated over the 8 weeks (or 2 months if paid monthly) ending with the last normal pay day on or before the Saturday of the qualifying week.
SMP vs Maternity Allowance
If you don't qualify for SMP, you may be eligible for Maternity Allowance (MA). Here's how they compare:
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
- Paid by: Your employer
- First 6 weeks: 90% of earnings
- Weeks 7-39: £187.18/week
- Total duration: 39 weeks
- Requires: 26 weeks continuous employment
- Min earnings: £125/week average
Maternity Allowance (MA)
- Paid by: DWP/Jobcentre Plus
- Rate: £187.18/week (or 90% of earnings)
- Duration: Up to 39 weeks
- For: Self-employed, agency workers
- Requires: 26 weeks work in 66 weeks before due date
- Min earnings: £30/week for 13 weeks
When You'd Get Maternity Allowance Instead
- Self-employed: You're registered and pay Class 2 National Insurance
- Agency worker: You work through an agency and don't qualify for SMP
- Recently changed jobs: You haven't been with your current employer long enough
- Zero-hours contract: Your earnings are below the SMP threshold
- Employment ended: You left your job before the qualifying week
Enhanced Maternity Pay Schemes
Many UK employers offer enhanced maternity pay above the statutory minimum. Common enhanced schemes include:
| Scheme Type | Description | Typical Total Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Enhanced | 6 weeks full pay, then SMP | ~£9,400 (£600/week salary) |
| Standard Enhanced | 6 weeks full + 6 weeks half pay + SMP | ~£10,200 (£600/week salary) |
| Generous Enhanced | 12 weeks full pay + 12 weeks half pay + SMP | ~£12,300 (£600/week salary) |
| Premium | 26 weeks full pay, then SMP | ~£17,800 (£600/week salary) |
| SMP Only | No enhancement - statutory only | ~£9,343 (£600/week salary) |
*Approximate values based on £600/week (£31,200 annual) salary
Your Maternity Leave Rights
As a pregnant employee in the UK, you have important legal rights regardless of how long you've worked for your employer:
Statutory Maternity Leave
- Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML): First 26 weeks - all employees are entitled
- Additional Maternity Leave (AML): Remaining 26 weeks - all employees are entitled
- Total: Up to 52 weeks of maternity leave
Key Protections During Maternity
| Right | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Protection | Right to return to the same job (or suitable alternative if returning after AML) |
| Terms & Conditions | Most contractual benefits continue during maternity leave (except salary) |
| Pension Contributions | Employer must continue contributions during paid leave |
| Annual Leave | Holiday continues to accrue during maternity leave |
| Redundancy Protection | Special protection and priority for suitable alternative roles |
| Unfair Dismissal | Dismissal due to pregnancy/maternity is automatically unfair |
Keeping In Touch (KIT) Days
You can work up to 10 "Keeping In Touch" days during maternity leave without losing your SMP or ending your leave. These are optional - neither you nor your employer can insist on them. Payment for KIT days is agreed between you and your employer.
Shared Parental Leave & Pay
You can convert maternity leave and pay into Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP), allowing you to share leave with your partner.
How It Works
- End your maternity leave early (after the compulsory 2 weeks)
- Unused maternity leave converts to SPL (up to 50 weeks)
- Unused SMP converts to ShPP (up to 37 weeks at £187.18/week)
- Parents can take leave together, separately, or in turns
How to Use This Maternity Pay Calculator
Our UK Maternity Pay Calculator is designed to give you a clear picture of your statutory and enhanced maternity pay entitlement in just a few steps. Here is how to get the most accurate result:
Step 1: Enter Your Earnings
You can enter either your average weekly earnings (before tax) or your annual salary. If you enter one, the calculator automatically converts it to the other. Your average weekly earnings are normally calculated over the 8-week period ending with the last pay day on or before the Saturday of the qualifying week (15 weeks before your due date). If you are unsure, check a recent payslip or ask your employer's payroll department.
Step 2: Choose Your Pay Type
Select whether your employer offers enhanced maternity pay or whether you will receive statutory pay only. If your employer offers an enhanced scheme, you will be asked to enter the number of weeks at full pay and, optionally, weeks at half pay plus SMP. This information is usually found in your employment contract or staff handbook.
Step 3: Use Quick Scenarios (Optional)
If you want a quick estimate before entering your own figures, click one of the Quick Scenario buttons at the top of the calculator. These pre-fill typical values for part-time workers, average earners, and enhanced schemes so you can see example results instantly.
Step 4: Calculate and Review
Click "Calculate Maternity Pay" to see your full payment schedule. The results show a week-by-week breakdown including the 90% phase (first 6 weeks), the flat-rate or 90% phase (weeks 7 to 39), and the unpaid period (weeks 40 to 52). You will also see your total maternity pay, the average weekly amount, and an estimate of take-home pay after tax.
Worked Examples: Maternity Pay Calculations
The following examples show how Statutory Maternity Pay is calculated for different salary levels in the 2025/26 tax year. All figures use the current SMP flat rate of £187.18 per week and assume the employee qualifies for SMP.
Example 1: Employee Earning £25,000 per Year
Weekly earnings: £25,000 ÷ 52 = £480.77 per week
| Period | Rate | Weekly Pay | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-6 (90% of earnings) | 90% | £432.69 | £2,596.15 |
| Weeks 7-39 (lower of £187.18 or 90%) | £187.18/week | £187.18 | £6,176.94 |
| Weeks 40-52 (unpaid leave) | £0 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Total SMP over 39 weeks | £8,773.09 | ||
At £25,000 per year, 90% of weekly earnings (£432.69) is well above the flat rate, so weeks 7 to 39 are paid at the flat rate of £187.18. The total SMP is £8,773.09, averaging £225.08 per week over the 39 paid weeks.
Example 2: Employee Earning £35,000 per Year
Weekly earnings: £35,000 ÷ 52 = £673.08 per week
| Period | Rate | Weekly Pay | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-6 (90% of earnings) | 90% | £605.77 | £3,634.62 |
| Weeks 7-39 (lower of £187.18 or 90%) | £187.18/week | £187.18 | £6,176.94 |
| Weeks 40-52 (unpaid leave) | £0 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Total SMP over 39 weeks | £9,811.56 | ||
The higher salary means the first 6 weeks at 90% provides significantly more (£605.77 per week), but weeks 7 to 39 are still capped at the flat rate. Total SMP is £9,811.56, approximately £251.58 per week on average.
Example 3: Part-Time Worker Earning £15,000 per Year
Weekly earnings: £15,000 ÷ 52 = £288.46 per week
| Period | Rate | Weekly Pay | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-6 (90% of earnings) | 90% | £259.62 | £1,557.69 |
| Weeks 7-39 (lower of £187.18 or 90%) | £187.18/week | £187.18 | £6,176.94 |
| Weeks 40-52 (unpaid leave) | £0 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Total SMP over 39 weeks | £7,734.63 | ||
Even at a lower part-time salary, this worker earns above the Lower Earnings Limit (£125 per week) and qualifies for SMP. Because 90% of weekly earnings (£259.62) still exceeds the flat rate, weeks 7 to 39 are paid at £187.18. Total SMP is £7,734.63.
Example 4: Higher Earner at £50,000 per Year (with Enhanced Maternity Pay)
Weekly earnings: £50,000 ÷ 52 = £961.54 per week
This example compares statutory-only SMP with a typical enhanced maternity pay scheme offering 12 weeks at full pay, 12 weeks at half pay plus SMP, then SMP for the remainder.
| Period | Statutory Only | Enhanced Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-6 | 90% = £865.38/wk (£5,192.31) | Full pay = £961.54/wk (£5,769.23) |
| Weeks 7-12 | £187.18/wk (£1,123.08) | Full pay = £961.54/wk (£5,769.23) |
| Weeks 13-24 | £187.18/wk (£2,246.16) | Half pay + SMP = £667.95/wk (£8,015.40) |
| Weeks 25-39 | £187.18/wk (£2,807.70) | SMP = £187.18/wk (£2,807.70) |
| Weeks 40-52 | £0 | £0 |
| Total (39 weeks) | £11,369.25 | £22,361.56 |
The enhanced scheme nearly doubles the total maternity pay for this higher earner, providing an additional £10,992.31 over the statutory minimum. This illustrates why it is important to check your employer's maternity policy, as enhanced schemes can make a significant financial difference, particularly for higher earners where the gap between full pay and the SMP flat rate is largest.
Understanding Your Results
When you use this calculator, the results show your maternity pay broken down into distinct phases. Here is what each part means and what to expect financially during your maternity leave.
The 39-Week Payment Structure
Statutory Maternity Pay in the UK is paid over a maximum of 39 weeks, divided into two phases. The first 6 weeks are paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings with no upper cap. This means higher earners receive proportionally more during this initial period. The remaining 33 weeks (weeks 7 to 39) are paid at the lower of £187.18 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings. For most employees earning above roughly £208 per week, this means the flat rate of £187.18 applies. After the 39 paid weeks, you can take a further 13 weeks of unpaid leave, giving a total of up to 52 weeks of maternity leave.
Qualifying Conditions
To receive SMP, you must meet all qualifying criteria. You need 26 weeks of continuous employment with the same employer by the 15th week before your due date (the qualifying week). Your average weekly earnings must be at least £125 per week (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2025/26), calculated over the 8 weeks ending with the last pay day on or before the Saturday of the qualifying week. You must also provide your employer with a MATB1 certificate (proof of pregnancy from your midwife or GP) and give at least 28 days' notice of when you want your SMP to start.
If You Do Not Qualify for SMP
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for SMP -- for example, if you have not worked for your employer long enough, you are self-employed, or your earnings are below the Lower Earnings Limit -- you may still qualify for Maternity Allowance (MA). Maternity Allowance is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through Jobcentre Plus rather than by your employer. It is paid at £187.18 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for up to 39 weeks. To qualify for MA, you need to have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date and earned at least £30 per week in at least 13 of those weeks. You apply using form MA1 from GOV.UK.
What About Tax?
Both SMP and enhanced maternity pay are treated as earnings for tax purposes. Your employer will deduct Income Tax and National Insurance contributions through the normal payroll process. The figures shown by this calculator are gross amounts (before any deductions). To estimate your net take-home maternity pay, you may wish to use our Take Home Pay Calculator with the weekly amounts shown in your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your average weekly earnings (AWE) are calculated over the 8-week period (or 2 months for monthly-paid employees) ending with your last pay day on or before the Saturday of the qualifying week. This includes regular pay, overtime, bonuses, commission, and statutory sick pay. If you receive a pay rise between the calculation period and maternity leave starting, your AWE should be recalculated.
You must tell your employer about your pregnancy by the 15th week before your baby is due (the qualifying week). You need to provide: confirmation that you're pregnant, your expected due date, and when you want your maternity leave and pay to start. However, for health and safety reasons and to access pregnancy-related protections, you may wish to tell them earlier.
If your baby arrives before your planned maternity leave start date, your maternity leave and SMP automatically begin from the day after birth. If you were already on pregnancy-related sick leave and gave birth within 4 weeks of your due date, your leave starts from the day after birth. Your employer cannot ask you to continue working after the baby is born.
You cannot work for your employer during the first 2 weeks after birth (compulsory maternity leave). After that, you can work up to 10 "Keeping In Touch" (KIT) days without losing SMP or ending your leave. These are optional and must be agreed with your employer. You can also do work for a different employer without affecting your SMP.
Yes, SMP is not conditional on returning to work - it's a statutory entitlement. However, if you received enhanced maternity pay from your employer, your contract may require you to repay the enhanced portion (the amount above SMP) if you don't return for a specified period. Check your employment contract or maternity policy.
You may be entitled to SMP from each employer if you meet the qualifying conditions for each job separately. Calculate your eligibility independently for each employer based on earnings and employment length. You can receive SMP from multiple employers simultaneously.
Apply using form MA1, available online from GOV.UK or from your local Jobcentre Plus. You'll need to provide your MATB1 certificate, payslips or proof of self-employment, and details of any employers. Apply from 26 weeks pregnant onwards. Claims can be backdated up to 3 months.
Yes, you continue to accrue all your annual leave entitlement during maternity leave (both ordinary and additional). You can add accrued leave onto the end of your maternity leave, or take it before. If your leave year ends during maternity leave, you may be able to carry over holiday you couldn't take. Discuss arrangements with your employer.
If your role is made redundant while you are on maternity leave, you have special legal protections under UK employment law. Your employer must offer you any suitable alternative vacancy that is available, and you have priority over other employees for such roles. If there is no suitable alternative, you are entitled to statutory redundancy pay based on your normal salary (not your reduced maternity pay). Your SMP continues to be paid even after redundancy for the remainder of the 39-week period. If your employer fails to follow the correct redundancy process or you believe you were selected because of your pregnancy or maternity leave, this may constitute automatic unfair dismissal and pregnancy discrimination, and you could bring a claim to an employment tribunal.
Yes, through the Shared Parental Leave (SPL) scheme. If you end your maternity leave early (after the compulsory 2 weeks following birth), you can convert up to 50 weeks of unused leave and up to 37 weeks of pay into Shared Parental Leave and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP). Both you and your partner can then take the leave in blocks, at the same time, or in turns. ShPP is paid at the same rate as SMP (£187.18 per week or 90% of earnings, whichever is lower). To qualify, both parents must meet specific employment and earnings criteria. You need to give your employer at least 8 weeks' notice before each block of SPL. Shared Parental Leave gives families much more flexibility in how they divide caring responsibilities during the first year.
If you do not qualify for SMP -- perhaps because you have not been employed long enough, your earnings are below the Lower Earnings Limit (£125 per week in 2025/26), or you are self-employed -- you may be entitled to Maternity Allowance (MA) instead. MA is claimed from the Department for Work and Pensions through Jobcentre Plus using form MA1 (available at GOV.UK). It is paid at up to £187.18 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for up to 39 weeks. To qualify, you need to have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66-week period before your due date and earned at least £30 per week in at least 13 of those weeks. If you do not qualify for either SMP or Maternity Allowance, you may be able to claim Universal Credit or other benefits. Contact Jobcentre Plus or Citizens Advice for guidance on your options.
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Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: February 2026.
Last updated: February 2026 | Verified with latest UK rates
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