Maternity Leave Pay Calculator UK: How Much Will You Get in 2025?

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) in the UK is paid for up to 39 weeks at a rate of 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, followed by £187.18 per week (or 90% of earnings if lower) for the remaining 33 weeks. A woman earning £600 per week would receive approximately £540 per week for the first 6 weeks and £187.18 per week thereafter, giving a total SMP of around £9,417 over 39 weeks.

This guide explains how to use a maternity pay calculator to estimate your entitlement, who qualifies for SMP, how the rates work for 2025/26, and what happens if you are not eligible. Use our maternity pay calculator to model your expected payments before you start your leave.

Statutory Maternity Pay rates for 2025/26

SMP is split into two rate periods. For the first 6 weeks, you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings with no upper cap. For the following 33 weeks, you receive the lower of £187.18 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings. After 39 weeks, SMP stops. You may remain on maternity leave for up to 52 weeks in total, but the final 13 weeks are unpaid unless your employer offers enhanced maternity pay.

For the full legal framework behind these payments, see our statutory maternity pay guide. For a comparison of UK maternity leave with European entitlements, read our article on UK vs EU maternity leave.

Who qualifies for SMP

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you must have been employed by your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due (the qualifying week). You must also earn at least £125 per week on average (the lower earnings limit for 2025/26) during a specific 8-week reference period. You must give your employer the correct notice and provide a MATB1 maternity certificate from your midwife or doctor.

You do not need to intend to return to work after maternity leave to qualify for SMP. You can resign during or after your leave and still receive the full SMP entitlement, provided you met the qualifying conditions at the start of your leave. SMP is a legal right, not a discretionary benefit tied to returning to your job.

The qualifying week explained

The qualifying week is the 15th week before the week your baby is due. If your baby is due on 1 December 2026, count back 15 weeks from the week containing that date to find your qualifying week. You must have been employed for 26 continuous weeks ending with that week. If you started a new job and have only been there 20 weeks at the qualifying week, you will not qualify for SMP (though you may qualify for Maternity Allowance from HMRC instead).

The reference period for earnings

Your average weekly earnings are calculated over the 8 weeks (or 2 months if paid monthly) ending with the last payday on or before the end of the qualifying week. Only earnings subject to Class 1 National Insurance count. This includes basic salary, commissions, bonuses and overtime, but excludes expenses, benefits in kind and pension contributions made by salary sacrifice.

If your earnings vary, the 8-week average may not reflect your typical income. A bonus received during the reference period can push your average up, while a period of reduced hours can pull it down. This is one reason why using a maternity pay calculator with your actual pay figures produces a more accurate estimate than relying on headline salary alone.

How to use a maternity leave calculator

A maternity leave calculator and maternity pay calculator serve related but distinct purposes. The leave calculator tells you the dates: when your earliest leave can start, how many weeks of leave you are entitled to, and when you must return or give notice to extend. The pay calculator tells you how much money you will receive each week and in total over the 39-week SMP period.

To use the pay calculator, you need your average weekly earnings (or your gross annual salary divided by 52 if your pay is consistent), your expected due date, and your planned start date for maternity leave. The calculator applies the two-rate SMP formula and shows a week-by-week payment schedule.

Use the maternity pay calculator to see your total expected SMP and how the rate changes after week 6.

Maternity leave entitlement: 52 weeks

UK law entitles you to 52 weeks of maternity leave regardless of how long you have worked for your employer. This comprises 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave (AML). You do not have to take the full 52 weeks, but you must take a minimum of 2 weeks after the birth (4 weeks if you work in a factory).

The earliest you can start maternity leave is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. Many women work until close to their due date and start leave when the baby arrives. Your maternity leave start date affects when SMP begins, as SMP normally starts at the same time as your leave (or automatically if you are absent for a pregnancy-related reason in the 4 weeks before your due date).

Enhanced maternity pay from employers

Many employers, particularly in the public sector and larger companies, offer enhanced maternity pay above the statutory minimum. Common schemes include full pay for a set number of weeks (e.g. 12 or 26 weeks), followed by SMP rates for the remainder of the 39 weeks. Enhanced pay is a contractual benefit and varies by employer.

If your employer offers enhanced maternity pay, the maternity pay calculator's SMP estimate represents the minimum you will receive. Your actual pay may be significantly higher during the enhanced period. Check your employment contract or staff handbook for details. Some enhanced schemes require you to return to work for a minimum period afterward, or you may need to repay the enhanced portion if you do not return.

Maternity Allowance: if you do not qualify for SMP

If you do not meet the SMP qualifying conditions, you may be eligible for Maternity Allowance (MA) from HMRC instead. MA is for self-employed women, women who have recently changed jobs, and those who do not earn enough for SMP. The standard rate for 2025/26 is £187.18 per week for up to 39 weeks, the same as the flat SMP rate.

To qualify for MA, you must have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your baby is due, earning at least £30 per week in at least 13 of those weeks. The rules are different from SMP, so even if you fail the SMP earnings test, you may still qualify for MA. Apply to HMRC on form MA1.

Tax and National Insurance on maternity pay

SMP is treated as employment income and is subject to income tax and National Insurance through PAYE, just like your regular salary. Your employer deducts tax and NI before paying you. Because SMP is typically lower than your normal salary, you may pay less tax overall during maternity leave, and your tax code should adjust accordingly.

SMP counts toward your annual earnings for state pension purposes and affects your entitlement to other benefits. If you receive Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits, SMP may reduce the amount you receive from those programmes. Report changes in income to the Department for Work and Pensions promptly.

Worked example 1: average earner

Emma earns £35,000 per year, giving average weekly earnings of approximately £673.08. Her baby is due in October 2026 and she meets all SMP qualifying conditions. For the first 6 weeks, she receives 90% of £673.08, which is £605.77 per week. Total for weeks 1 to 6: £3,634.62.

For weeks 7 to 39 (33 weeks), the rate is the lower of £187.18 or 90% of earnings. Ninety per cent of £673.08 is £605.77, so the statutory cap of £187.18 applies. Total for weeks 7 to 39: £187.18 multiplied by 33, which is £6,176.94. Emma's total SMP over 39 weeks is approximately £9,811.56 before tax.

Worked example 2: lower earner

Aisha earns £22,000 per year, giving average weekly earnings of approximately £423.08. For the first 6 weeks, she receives 90% of £423.08, which is £380.77 per week. Total for weeks 1 to 6: £2,284.62.

For weeks 7 to 39, 90% of her earnings is £380.77, which is higher than the £187.18 statutory rate. Because the rule pays the lower amount, she receives £187.18 per week for the remaining 33 weeks. Total for weeks 7 to 39: £6,176.94. Aisha's total SMP is approximately £8,461.56 before tax. Despite earning less than Emma, the flat-rate period limits how much less Aisha receives during weeks 7 to 39.

Worked example 3: higher earner with enhanced pay

Rachel earns £55,000 per year (approximately £1,057.69 per week) and her employer offers 16 weeks at full pay followed by SMP rates. For the first 16 weeks, Rachel receives her full weekly pay of approximately £1,057.69, totalling £16,923.04. This includes the 6 weeks at 90% that would apply under SMP, but her employer tops up to full pay.

From week 17 to week 39 (23 weeks), Rachel receives SMP at the capped rate of £187.18 per week, totalling £4,305.14. Her total maternity pay over 39 weeks is approximately £21,228.18 before tax. Without the enhanced scheme, her SMP alone would be approximately £10,500. The enhanced element makes a substantial difference for higher earners.

What to tell your employer

You must tell your employer at least 28 days before you want your SMP to start (or as soon as reasonably practicable if the baby arrives early). Provide your expected week of childbirth and the date you plan to start leave. Give your employer your MATB1 certificate, which you can obtain from your midwife or GP from 20 weeks before your due date.

Your employer has 28 days to confirm your SMP entitlement in writing, including the start and end dates and the amount you will receive. If they believe you do not qualify, they must give you form SMP1 explaining why and directing you to apply for Maternity Allowance instead. Keep copies of all correspondence.

Calculate your maternity pay

Knowing how much maternity pay you will receive helps you budget for the months ahead and plan whether you can afford to take the full 52 weeks of leave. The SMP formula is straightforward once you know your average weekly earnings, but the interaction between the 90% rate and the £187.18 cap catches many expectant mothers by surprise, particularly the drop in pay after week 6.

Use the maternity pay calculator to estimate your weekly and total payments for 2025/26. For the underlying rules and eligibility, our statutory maternity pay guide and UK vs EU maternity leave comparison provide additional detail.