Shared Parental Leave & Pay calculator
Statutory Shared Parental Pay for 2026/27 is a flat weekly rate, the lower of £194.32 or 90% of each parent's own average weekly earnings, following gov.uk's Shared Parental Leave and Pay rules. Up to 37 weeks of statutory pay and 50 weeks of leave can be shared. The employer and HMRC settle the exact amount.
That is more than the 37 weeks of statutory pay you can share. Trim the weeks so they add up to 37 or fewer.
How is Shared Parental Pay worked out?
Shared Parental Leave takes the leave and pay a mother has not used and opens it up to both parents, under gov.uk's Shared Parental Leave and Pay rules. Once the compulsory 2 weeks after birth are set aside, up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of statutory pay are left to divide between the parents. The pay is the flat rate throughout: the lower of £194.32 a week or 90% of that parent's own earnings. There is no early 90% period, unlike maternity pay.
Each parent's rate is worked out on their own wage. The split between the two parents only changes the combined total if one parent earns little enough to be paid 90% of a lower wage instead of the flat rate.
What would each parent get, as a worked example?
Take Parent A on £30,000 taking 20 weeks, and Parent B on £32,000 taking 17 weeks, 37 weeks in total. Both salaries sit above the level where the £194.32 cap applies, so each parent is paid £194 a week. Parent A's estimated total is £3,886. Parent B's estimated total is £3,303. The combined estimated total before tax is £7,190. Moving weeks between the parents changes the split but not the combined total, while both remain above the cap.
Common questions
How is Shared Parental Pay worked out?
Statutory Shared Parental Pay is the flat rate, which is the lower of £194.32 a week or 90% of that parent’s own average weekly earnings, for 2026/27. Unlike maternity pay there is no higher 90% period at the start, so it is the same weekly rate throughout.
How many weeks can we share?
A mother can convert unused maternity leave and pay into the shared scheme. Between you there are up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of statutory pay to divide, once the compulsory 2 weeks straight after birth are set aside.
Can both parents be off at the same time?
Yes. Shared Parental Leave can be taken together or at different times, and in up to three separate blocks each. Taking it together uses up the shared weeks faster, so the total pay pot is the same however you arrange it.
Does each parent use their own earnings for the rate?
Yes. The 90% test is applied to each parent separately, so a lower earner may be paid 90% of their wage while a higher earner gets the £194.32 cap. Enter each salary to see both.
Is Shared Parental Pay better than maternity pay?
Not always. Maternity pay gives 6 weeks at 90% of earnings first, which the shared scheme does not. Sharing is about flexibility and letting the other parent take paid time off, rather than increasing the total amount paid.
What would each parent get, as a worked example?
For two parents whose earnings are both above the level where the £194.32 weekly cap applies, each is paid £194.32 for every week of statutory pay taken. Multiplying each parent's weeks by that rate and adding the two figures gives the estimated combined total before tax. If a parent's 90% of average weekly earnings falls below £194.32, that lower figure is used for their weeks instead.
Sources & Rate Verification
Rates verified against official statutory guidance on 6 September 2026.