How many weeks of Shared Parental Leave can we take?

Up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of paid leave can be shared between eligible parents. The remaining weeks are unpaid. The mother must have ended or shortened her maternity leave or pay to create the shared pot.

Can we take Shared Parental Leave at the same time?

Yes. You can take Shared Parental Leave at the same time as your partner, on the same dates, which effectively means you are both off together. You can also take it in separate blocks or one after the other — the leave is very flexible as long as you give your employer 8 weeks' notice for each block.

Who qualifies for Shared Parental Leave?

To take Shared Parental Leave, you must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby's due date, still be employed by the same employer when leave starts, and earn an average of at least £129 a week in the 8 weeks before the 15th week before the due date. Your partner must also pass a separate employment and earnings test.

What is the difference between 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay?

Up to 50 weeks of Shared Parental Leave is available (52 minus the 2 weeks of compulsory maternity leave). Of those 50 weeks, only 37 can be paid at the ShPP rate — the remaining weeks are unpaid. The 37 paid weeks come from the 39 weeks of paid maternity leave, minus the 2 compulsory weeks.

Does Shared Parental Pay affect my tax credits or benefits?

Statutory Shared Parental Pay is treated as earnings for tax and National Insurance purposes. It is subject to Income Tax and employee National Insurance in the same way as wages. It may affect means-tested benefits. Your employer deducts tax and NI before paying you.

Shared Parental Leave Calculator

Q: How much is Statutory Shared Parental Pay in 2026–27?

Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is £194.32 per week from 6 April 2026, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. Unlike Statutory Maternity Pay, there is no higher-rate first phase — the flat rate applies from the first week of Shared Parental Leave.

Work out how much Statutory Shared Parental Pay each of you will receive and how to divide the leave between you. Enter your weekly pays and how many weeks each parent plans to take — we calculate your entitlement instantly using the 2026–27 rate.

📅 2026–27 rates — valid from 6 April 2026 ShPP rate: £194.32/week Max paid weeks: 37 Max leave weeks: 50 See all statutory rates →

Step 1 — Baby's Due Date

Expected due date (or birth date)

Used to determine the qualifying week and leave window

Mother stops maternity leave at week…

The earlier she stops, the larger the shared pot

Step 2 — Weekly Pay

ShPP is the lower of £194.32 or 90% of average weekly earnings. Enter gross weekly pay before tax for each parent.

Parent 1 gross weekly pay (£)

Usually the birth mother or primary adopter

Parent 2 gross weekly pay (£)

The other parent or partner

Parent 1's weekly pay exceeds £194.32 — ShPP will be capped at £194.32/week.

Parent 2's weekly pay exceeds £194.32 — ShPP will be capped at £194.32/week.

Step 3 — Divide the Leave

You can split the available weeks however you like. Both parents can even take leave at the same time.

Weeks for Parent 1

From the shared pot (paid + unpaid)

Weeks for Parent 2

From the shared pot (paid + unpaid)

PAIRED GUIDE

Shared Parental Leave Explained

Understand the rules, eligibility tests, how to give notice, and how to get the most from your shared leave entitlement.

Read the Guide →

How to Use This Calculator

Due date — enter your baby's expected due date or actual birth date. This anchors the leave window (all SPL must be taken within 52 weeks of birth).
When the mother stops maternity leave — the earlier she curtails maternity leave, the more weeks go into the shared pot. The compulsory 2-week minimum creates the maximum possible pot of 50 leave weeks and 37 paid weeks.
Gross weekly pay for each parent — ShPP is paid at £194.32/week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Enter gross pay before tax and NI.
Weeks each parent wants to take — split the pot however you like. You can take leave at the same time, back-to-back, or in separate blocks. The total cannot exceed your available pot.

How Shared Parental Pay Is Calculated

Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is simpler than Statutory Maternity Pay — there is no higher-rate first phase. Every week of paid SPL is paid at the same flat rate:

Your gross weekly pay	Your ShPP rate
£215.91 or more (90% ≥ £194.32)	£194.32 per week (capped flat rate)
Below £215.91	90% of your weekly pay
Below £129 (Lower Earnings Limit)	Not eligible for ShPP

ShPP is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance. Your employer deducts these before payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Shared Parental Pay in 2026–27?

£194.32 per week from 6 April 2026, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. Unlike Statutory Maternity Pay, there is no higher-rate first phase — every week is paid at the same flat rate. ShPP is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance.

How many weeks can we share?

Up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of paid leave can be shared. The 50 leave weeks come from the 52-week maternity leave entitlement minus the 2 compulsory weeks the mother must take after birth. The 37 paid weeks come from the 39 weeks of paid maternity leave minus those same 2 compulsory weeks. Any weeks beyond the paid 37 are unpaid.

Can we both take leave at the same time?

Yes. Both parents can take Shared Parental Leave simultaneously — you can be off together for any period within the available pot. You can also take it back-to-back or in separate blocks throughout the first year. Each block requires 8 weeks' notice to your employer.

Do we have to use all the weeks at once?

No. Each parent can take their weeks in up to 3 separate blocks, subject to giving their employer 8 weeks' notice for each. Some employers may agree to more flexibility informally. All leave must be taken within 52 weeks of the birth or adoption placement date.

What if one parent earns below £129 a week?

If a parent earns below the Lower Earnings Limit of £129 per week, they do not qualify for Statutory Shared Parental Pay. They can still take the leave unpaid, provided they meet the other eligibility tests. Their leave weeks can still be allocated from the shared pot — they simply will not attract the ShPP payment.

Does the mother have to go back to work for the partner to take SPL?

No. The mother simply needs to curtail (formally shorten) her maternity leave and maternity pay. She does not need to return to work for the partner to start their Shared Parental Leave. The curtailment notice creates the shared pot. She can remain on maternity leave while the partner takes their weeks, as long as the total does not exceed the available pot.

What happens to holiday that accrues during Shared Parental Leave?

You continue to accrue statutory annual leave during Shared Parental Leave, exactly as you would during maternity or paternity leave. Your employer cannot make you take holiday during SPL. Any accrued leave that you cannot take before the end of the leave year can usually be carried forward by agreement with your employer.

Is Shared Parental Pay taxable?

Yes. ShPP is treated as earnings for income tax and National Insurance purposes. Your employer will deduct income tax and employee National Insurance contributions before paying you, in the same way as wages.