Total Statutory Maternity Pay (39 weeks)
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Statutory Maternity Pay Calculator
Enter your average weekly pay to see your SMP broken down week by week across your full 39-week entitlement. We show you exactly when the rate changes, what you'll receive in each phase, and how much you'll take home in total.
📅 2026–27 rates — valid from 6 April 2026
Standard rate: £194.32/week
Lower Earnings Limit: £129/week
Phase 1: 90% AWE (6 weeks)
See all statutory rates →
£
Your gross average weekly pay before tax — based on the 8 weeks before your qualifying week
We'll convert this to a weekly figure for the calculation
£
Your gross monthly pay before any deductions
SMP can start from 11 weeks before your due date — affects when the phases fall
Your average weekly pay is below £129 — the Lower Earnings Limit. You may not qualify for SMP. You could be eligible for Maternity Allowance instead.
Week-by-Week Breakdown
| Week | Phase | Rate basis | Weekly amount | Cumulative total |
|---|
PAIRED GUIDE
Statutory Maternity Pay Explained
Who qualifies, how SMP is calculated, what counts as Average Weekly Earnings, and what to do if you don't qualify for SMP.
Read the Guide →How to Use This Calculator
- Pay frequency and amount — enter how you're paid and your gross pay before tax and deductions. We convert monthly or annual figures to a weekly average for the calculation.
- Maternity leave start — SMP can begin up to 11 weeks before your due date. The week you start affects when Phase 1 and Phase 2 fall, and when your 39 weeks ends.
- Average Weekly Earnings — for SMP purposes, AWE is based on your earnings in the 8 weeks before your qualifying week (15 weeks before your due date). If your pay has changed recently, use the average for that 8-week window rather than your current rate.
The calculator shows both phases of SMP — the higher 90% phase and the standard rate phase — broken down week by week so you can see exactly what lands in your bank account each week.
How Statutory Maternity Pay Is Calculated
SMP is paid in two distinct phases over 39 weeks:
| Phase | Duration | Rate | What you receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Weeks 1–6 | 90% AWE | 90% of your Average Weekly Earnings — no upper cap |
| Phase 2 | Weeks 7–39 | £194.32 | £194.32/week or 90% of AWE, whichever is lower |
If your 90% rate is lower than £194.32 (meaning your average weekly pay is below £215.91), you'll receive the 90% figure throughout all 39 weeks. If your pay is above £215.91 per week, you'll receive 90% in Phase 1 and the standard £194.32 in Phase 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is SMP per week in 2026–27?
For the first 6 weeks, you receive 90% of your Average Weekly Earnings — so this varies by person. From week 7 onwards, you receive £194.32 per week, or 90% of your AWE if that is lower (which applies if your average weekly pay is below £215.91).
Do I qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay?
You qualify if you have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by your qualifying week (the 15th week before your due date), and your average weekly earnings during the 8-week reference period are at least £129. You must also give your employer 28 days' notice and provide a MATB1 certificate from your doctor or midwife.
What if my earnings were below £129/week?
If your average weekly earnings were below the Lower Earnings Limit of £129, you won't qualify for SMP. However, you may qualify for Maternity Allowance — a government benefit paid at up to £194.32 per week for up to 39 weeks, available to those who have worked at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before their due date and earned at least £30/week in 13 of those weeks.
Is SMP taxable?
Yes. SMP is treated as earnings for income tax and National Insurance purposes. Unlike statutory redundancy pay, there is no tax-free threshold — your SMP forms part of your total taxable income for the year. However, given the amounts involved and the annual personal allowance (£12,570 for 2026–27), many people on maternity leave will pay little or no tax.
How is Average Weekly Earnings calculated?
Your AWE is based on gross earnings during the 8 weeks (or 2 months if you're paid monthly) immediately before your qualifying week — the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth. This includes regular wages, overtime, and bonuses paid in that period, divided by 8 to give a weekly figure.
What happens if I have a pay rise before or during maternity leave?
If you receive a pay rise that takes effect at any point from the start of the 8-week reference period through to the end of your maternity leave, your SMP must be recalculated using the higher pay rate for Phase 1. This is a legal requirement — your employer cannot avoid it by using the lower pre-rise figure for your reference period.
Can my employer pay more than the statutory minimum?
Yes. Many employers offer enhanced maternity pay — for example, full salary for the first 4, 8, or 12 weeks, then SMP for the remainder. Enhanced maternity pay is contractual and varies by employer. Check your contract or staff handbook. This calculator shows statutory minimum only.
What about the remaining 13 weeks (weeks 40–52)?
Maternity leave can last up to 52 weeks (26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave). SMP is only paid for the first 39 weeks. The remaining 13 weeks are unpaid unless your employer provides additional contractual pay. You still have the right to return to your job after 52 weeks.
Can I share my maternity leave with my partner?
Yes. Shared Parental Leave allows you and your partner to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between you. You would need to end your maternity leave early and convert the remaining entitlement into Shared Parental Leave. Use our Shared Parental Leave Calculator to explore how you could split it.