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Statutory Maternity Pay Calculator

What this page helps with

Use this page for a quick Statutory Maternity Pay estimate, then sense-check what to review before relying on the figure.

Estimate Statutory Maternity Pay using the current rule structure: 90% of average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then the standard statutory weekly rate or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for the remaining weeks.

2026 aware
Uses the 2026 to 2027 weekly rate band where relevant
Checked against official sources
Checked against GOV.UK maternity guidance
Practical next step
Points users to Maternity Allowance if SMP may not fit
What this calculator covers

Simple SMP estimates for up to 39 weeks based on average weekly earnings and the standard statutory weekly rate structure.

What this calculator does not cover

Every adoption variation, every employer-enhanced maternity scheme, or a full MATB1 / qualifying-week planner.

When to use a different page

If your main question is whether you qualify for SMP, what documents your employer can ask for, or what to do if pay is refused, use the maternity guide and next-step help page alongside this estimate.

Checked against official sources

Last reviewed: 28 March 2026. Checked against relevant GOV.UK and Acas guidance on Statutory Maternity Pay and leave rules.

Checked on

28 March 2026

Official source links

GOV.UK and Acas maternity guidance linked below

Recheck when

Average earnings, qualifying weeks or rate years change

When to use this calculator

Use this calculator for an early SMP estimate, then check your qualifying week, leave dates and any enhanced maternity pay separately.

Open maternity guide

Use this for the first SMP estimate

This gives the basic SMP shape, including the first 6 weeks at 90% and the remaining weeks at the standard statutory rate or 90% if lower.

Do not assume “no SMP” means no support

If SMP may not fit, the next useful route is often Maternity Allowance rather than stopping at the failed estimate.

Think ahead to leave planning

If the question becomes about sharing later leave and pay, Shared Parental Leave planning may become relevant after the maternity route starts.

If the figure looks low

Check average weekly earnings, the due date used for the rate band, and whether your employer offers enhanced maternity pay on top of SMP.

Open maternity pay and leave guide

If SMP may not fit

Do not stop at a failed SMP check. Maternity Allowance may still be worth checking if the service or earnings rules do not fit.

Open the next-step page

If the real question is leave planning

Use the family comparison route if you are deciding between maternity, paternity and shared parental leave rather than just checking one weekly figure.

Compare family-rights routes

Reviewed date

Last reviewed: 28 March 2026

Aim: a quick SMP estimate with a clear next step if the figure does not answer the whole question.

Key rule points on this page

  • SMP is paid for up to 39 weeks.
  • The first 6 weeks are paid at 90% of average weekly earnings.
  • The remaining 33 weeks are paid at the statutory weekly rate or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
  • The 2026 to 2027 standard weekly rate is £194.32 and the earnings threshold is £129 a week.
Fast route: if the estimate is not the real problem, go to the fallback-help page for SMP/SPP or the family comparison page before digging into detail.
Official sources used

Official sources checked for this page

GOV.UK: Maternity pay and leave pay

Used for the SMP structure: 90% of average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then the standard weekly rate for the next 33 weeks.

Open official source

GOV.UK: Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027

Used for the 2026 to 2027 standard weekly rate of £194.32 and the earnings threshold of £129 a week.

Open official source

GOV.UK: Maternity pay and leave eligibility

Used for continuity into the qualifying week, earnings, and notice/proof framing.

Open official source