Maternity pay calculator
Work out your Statutory Maternity Pay week by week, and the total over 39 weeks.
Uses the 2026 to 2027 standard rate of £194.32 a week from HMRC, checked 13 November 2026.
Result
On £576.92 a week, Statutory Maternity Pay comes to £9,527.94 over 39 weeks.
over 39 weeks, before tax
| First 6 weeks, each | £519.23 |
|---|---|
| Next 33 weeks, each | £194.32 |
| Weeks paid | 39 weeks |
Show the workings
| Step | Sum | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 90% of your average weekly earnings | £576.92 × 90% | £519.23 |
| First 6 weeks | 6 × £519.23 | £3,115.38 |
| Weekly rate after that | the standard rate of £194.32, as it is lower than £519.23 | £194.32 |
| Next 33 weeks | 33 × £194.32 | £6,412.56 |
| Total Statutory Maternity Pay | £3,115.38 + £6,412.56 | £9,527.94 |
What this leaves out or assumes
- Amounts are before tax and National Insurance, which are taken off as normal.
- You also need to have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due.
- Weekly amounts are rounded to the nearest penny. Your employer's payroll may round slightly differently.
Where the figures come from
- Share of average weekly earnings paid as Statutory Maternity and Paternity Pay: 90%. Source: GOV.UK: Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027. Checked 13 November 2026.
- Statutory Maternity Pay, standard weekly rate after the first 6 weeks: £194.32 a week. Source: GOV.UK: Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027. Checked 13 November 2026.
- Weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay at 90% of earnings: 6 weeks. Source: GOV.UK: Maternity pay and leave, pay. Checked 13 November 2026.
- Further weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay at the standard rate or 90%, whichever is lower: 33 weeks. Source: GOV.UK: Maternity pay and leave, pay. Checked 13 November 2026.
- Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance, 2026 to 2027: £129.00 a week. Source: GOV.UK: Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027. Checked 13 November 2026.
How Statutory Maternity Pay is worked out
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks:
- for the first 6 weeks, 90% of your average weekly earnings before tax
- for the next 33 weeks, £194.32 or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
If you earn £215.92 a week or more, the last 33 weeks are paid at £194.32. The rules are on GOV.UK.
| Average weekly earnings | First 6 weeks, each | Next 33 weeks, each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| £150.00 | £135.00 | £135.00 | £5,265.00 |
| £200.00 | £180.00 | £180.00 | £7,020.00 |
| £300.00 | £270.00 | £194.32 | £8,032.56 |
| £500.00 | £450.00 | £194.32 | £9,112.56 |
| £800.00 | £720.00 | £194.32 | £10,732.56 |
Who gets it
To get SMP you must, according to GOV.UK:
- earn on average at least £129 a week
- have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks, continuing into the 15th week before the week your baby is due
- give your employer the correct notice and proof of pregnancy
If you do not get SMP, you may be able to get Maternity Allowance from the government instead. GOV.UK's guide to maternity pay and leave has the full rules.
Your average weekly earnings
Your employer works out your average weekly earnings from what you were paid over a set period, usually the 8 weeks before the 15th week before your baby is due. HMRC's guide for employers explains exactly which weeks count. If you enter a monthly or yearly figure, the calculator turns it into a week, which is close but may differ from your employer's figure.
SMP is paid like your wages, so tax and National Insurance are taken off. Your employer may pay more than SMP under your contract.