Maternity and paternity pay calculator
What statutory pay actually comes to, week by week, and how far it falls short of normal pay. Most of the shock is in weeks 7 onwards.
How this is calculated
Average weekly earnings are taken from your salary divided by 52. In a real claim your employer uses the eight weeks before the qualifying week, so a recent pay rise or a period of low pay will move the figure.
Maternity and adoption pay run for 39 weeks: the first six at 90% of average weekly earnings with no cap, then 33 weeks at the lower of £194.32 or 90% of your average earnings.
Paternity pay is two weeks at the same capped rate. Shared parental pay covers up to 37 weeks, again at the capped rate.
Statutory pay is earnings, so income tax, National Insurance and student loan repayments all still apply. The figures here are before those deductions.
Rates used · 2026/27
| Statutory weekly rate | £194.32 |
| Maternity weeks 1 to 6 | 90% of average weekly earnings, uncapped |
| Maternity weeks 7 to 39 | lower of £194.32 or 90% |
| Maternity leave | up to 52 weeks, 39 of them paid |
| Paternity leave | 2 weeks, a day-one right from April 2026 |
| Paternity pay | still needs 26 weeks continuous service |
| To qualify for pay | £129 a week and 26 weeks service |
Last checked July 2026. Source: HMRC and gov.uk.
Worked example
On a £32,000 salary, average weekly earnings are £615.38. The first six weeks pay 90% of that, £553.85 a week. Weeks 7 to 39 drop to the statutory £194.32. Across the 39 paid weeks that totals £9,736 before tax, against normal pay of £2,667 a month.
Common questions
Why does my pay drop so sharply after six weeks?
Because the first six weeks are 90% of your actual earnings with no cap, and everything after that is capped at £194.32 a week regardless of what you earn.
Is maternity pay taxed?
Yes. It counts as earnings, so income tax, National Insurance and student loan repayments all apply. Many people pay less tax overall across the year because total income falls.
What if I do not qualify for statutory pay?
Maternity Allowance may be available instead, paid by the DWP rather than an employer, at the same weekly rate for up to 39 weeks.
Is paternity pay a day-one right too?
No. The leave became a day-one right in April 2026, but the pay still requires 26 weeks of continuous service. You can be entitled to take the leave without being entitled to be paid for it.
Can we share the leave?
Yes. Shared Parental Leave lets you share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay, provided the mother ends her maternity leave early to create the entitlement.