UK paternity pay calculator

What you get in Statutory Paternity Pay for one or two weeks of leave: the flat rate of £194.32 or 90% of your average weekly pay, whichever is lower.

Statutory Paternity Pay

£388.64

£194.32 a week for 2 weeks

Flat rate £194.32
2 weeks of leave
Over the £129 minimum

With average earnings of £600.00 a week, Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week (the flat rate of £194.32, which is lower than 90% of your pay). For 2 weeks that is £388.64 before tax.

Paternity Pay is paid like wages, with tax and National Insurance taken from it. Your leave cannot start before the birth and must end within 52 weeks of the birth. Tell your employer the baby’s due date at least 15 weeks before it is due.

To qualify for pay you must be employed by your employer up to the date of birth, have worked for them continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the qualifying week (the 15th week before the baby is due) and give the right notice.
There are different rules in Northern Ireland. Employers can pay more than the statutory amount: check your contract.

I’m not an accountant or a financial advisor. This is an estimate, for information only. Check with a professional before you decide.

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The calculation
	Average weekly earnings	£600.00
	90% of your average weekly earnings	£540.00
	Flat rate	£194.32
=	Weekly Paternity Paythe lower of the two	£194.32
×	Weeks of leave	2
=	Statutory Paternity Pay	£388.64

How it works

Take your average weekly earnings before tax and work out 90% of them.
The weekly Paternity Pay is that figure or the flat rate of £194.32, whichever is lower.
Multiply by the weeks of leave you take, 1 or 2. You qualify if you earn at least £129 a week on average and meet the service and notice rules.

Worked example

Average earnings of £600 a week: 90% is £540, so the flat rate of £194.32 is the lower figure. Two weeks of Paternity Leave pay £388.64 before tax.

Sources

Text checked on October 12, 2026

Good to know

You can take up to 2 weeks of Paternity Leave, together or in two separate weeks. You get the same leave even with twins. A week of leave is the number of days you normally work in a week.
You are eligible for Paternity Leave from the first day of employment, but you need at least 26 weeks of continuous service up to the qualifying week to get Paternity Pay.
The leave cannot start before the birth and must end within 52 weeks of the birth, or the due date if the baby is early. You do not have to give an exact date for your leave: a general time such as the day of the birth is enough.
You can also be eligible for Shared Parental Leave and Pay and for 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave per child. You can take Paternity Leave and Shared Parental Leave in any order.
The rules cover the father, the husband or partner of the mother (including same-sex partners), the child’s adopter and the intended parent in a surrogacy arrangement.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Statutory Paternity Pay in 2026/27?

£194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

How long can I take paternity leave?

Up to 2 weeks, together or as two separate weeks. It cannot start before the birth and must end within 52 weeks of it.

Who qualifies for Paternity Pay?

Employees who earn at least £129 a week on average, have worked for their employer for at least 26 weeks up to the qualifying week, and give the right notice.

When must I tell my employer?

At least 15 weeks before the baby is due, tell your employer the due date. You can give a general time for the leave instead of an exact date.

Can I take more than 2 weeks?

You may be eligible for Shared Parental Leave and Pay, or unpaid parental leave, which can be added to Paternity Leave.