Shared Parental Leave & Pay calculator
Shared Parental Leave lets two parents divide the time off and the statutory pay after a birth. Split the weeks and see what each parent is paid at the flat rate.
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 sharing the pay works
Shared Parental Leave takes the leave and pay a mother has not used and opens it up to both parents. Once the compulsory 2 weeks after birth are set aside, there are up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of statutory pay left to divide however suits you. The pay is the flat rate throughout, the lower of £194.32 a week or 90% of that parent’s own earnings, so there is no early 90% boost like maternity pay has.
Because each parent’s rate uses their own wage, the split only changes the total if one parent earns little enough to be paid 90% of a lower wage. For most couples the combined pot is fixed and the real choice is who takes the time off, and when.
Worked example
Suppose Parent A earns £30,000 and takes 20 weeks, and Parent B earns £32,000 and takes 17 weeks, 37 in total. Both are above the level where the £194.32 cap bites, so each is paid £194 a week. Parent A receives about £3,886 and Parent B about £3,303, a combined £7,190 before tax. Shift weeks between them and the split moves, but the total stays the same while both are 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.