Estimate gross Statutory Maternity Pay across the full 39-week paid period in 2026/27.
Statutory Maternity Pay: 39 weeks paid within 52 weeks of leave — 90% of your average weekly earnings for 6 weeks (no cap), then £194.32 a week or 90% of earnings, whichever is LOWER, for up to 33 weeks. SMP is treated as pay, so income tax and National Insurance are deducted from these gross figures. You also need 26 weeks' continuous service by the 15th week before your due date. IMPORTANT: the April 2026 reform that removed the earnings threshold applies to Statutory SICK Pay only — maternity pay still requires average earnings of at least £129 a week.
The first 6 weeks are paid at 90% of average weekly earnings, followed by up to 33 weeks at £194.32 or 90% of earnings, whichever is lower.
This estimate tests the £129 weekly earnings threshold but cannot assess the separate continuous-service and notice requirements.
SMP can be paid for up to 39 weeks within the 52 weeks of maternity leave.
The standard weekly rate is £194.32, or 90% of average weekly earnings if that is lower.
No. That reform removed the earnings threshold for Statutory Sick Pay only; SMP still uses the £129 lower earnings limit.
Statutory Maternity Pay runs for up to 39 weeks within your 52 weeks of leave, and it pays at two different rates. The first 6 weeks are 90% of your average weekly earnings with no cap — genuinely 90%, however much you earn. The remaining 33 weeks pay the lower of £194.32 a week (the 2026/27 standard rate, up from £187.18) or 90% of your earnings. The calculator above applies both stages.
The word lower is what catches people out. Higher earners drop to the flat £194.32 after six weeks — a cliff, not a slope. Lower earners never reach the flat rate at all: if you earn £200 a week, 90% is £180, which is below £194.32, so you receive £180 for all 39 weeks.
Earning £600 a week: 6 weeks at £540, then 33 weeks at £194.32 — about £9,653 across 39 weeks, gross. Note the drop: from £540 to £194 overnight in week 7. Earning £200 a week: £180 throughout, about £7,020. SMP counts as pay, so income tax and National Insurance come out of these figures.
Any time from 11 weeks before your due date, and automatically if the baby arrives early or you're off with a pregnancy-related illness in the last four weeks. At least 2 weeks off after birth is compulsory (4 for factory workers).
Yes — Shared Parental Leave lets you convert up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay for either parent to take, provided you both meet the conditions. You have to end your maternity leave to trigger it, so run the numbers before committing.
Yes. Statutory holiday accrues throughout all 52 weeks, which is why many people finish maternity leave with weeks of untaken holiday attached to the end — see our holiday entitlement calculator.