Paternity Pay Calculator 2025/26

Calculate Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) and understand your paternity leave rights. Updated for 2025/26 rates.

SPP rate 2025/26: £184.03/week (or 90% of AWE if lower). Paid for 1 or 2 consecutive weeks.

Average weekly earnings (£) — gross pay averaged over 8 weeks

How many weeks of paternity leave?

1 week 2 weeks

Leave start date — optional

Paternity Pay 2025/26

Eligible for SPP?

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Weekly SPP rate

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Leave taken

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Total SPP payable—

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Paternity pay and leave in the UK 2025/26

Eligible employees are entitled to up to 2 weeks of Statutory Paternity Leave (SPL) and Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) when their partner gives birth, or when they adopt a child.

Eligibility for SPP

To qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay you must:

Be the biological father of the baby, the mother's partner, or the adopter's partner
Have worked continuously for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the due date
Earn at least £123 per week on average
Be taking leave to care for the baby or support the mother
Give your employer at least 28 days' notice

How much is SPP?

SPP is paid at the lower of £184.03 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings. It is paid for either 1 or 2 consecutive weeks — you choose.

When can paternity leave be taken?

Paternity leave must be taken within 56 days of the baby's birth (or due date if the baby is born early). It must be taken as a complete week or two consecutive weeks — you cannot take it as individual days.

Shared Parental Leave (SPL)

If your partner ends their maternity leave early, you may be able to take Shared Parental Leave — splitting the remaining leave between you. Shared Parental Pay is paid at the same rate as SPP. This allows much more flexible arrangements than traditional paternity leave.

Self-employed fathers

Self-employed people are not entitled to SPP. There is no equivalent of Maternity Allowance for self-employed fathers. You may be able to claim Universal Credit if your income drops during the time you take off.

Enhanced paternity pay

Many employers offer more than the statutory minimum. Check your employment contract — some employers offer full pay for paternity leave, particularly in professional services and the public sector.