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🇬🇧 UK-only · Updated for 2026/27 Tax Year

Shared Parental Leave Calculator

Calculate exactly how many weeks of leave and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) you can share, and model how to split the cash between partners.

New £194.32/wk Rate50 Weeks Leave SplitEligibility CheckFree — no sign-up

SPL Details & Eligibility

Mothers must take at least 2 weeks of compulsory maternity leave.

Must be ≥ £123/wk

Must be ≥ £123/wk

Available Shared Parental Leave Pool

Total Leave Weeks: 13
Paid ShPP Weeks: 0

Assign Leave Between Partners

0 weeks unassigned
Mother's SPL Cash

£0.00

Before Tax & NI

Total SPL Leave Assigned:0 weeks
Paid ShPP Weeks:0 weeks
Unpaid Leave Weeks:0 weeks
Partner's SPL Cash

£0.00

Before Tax & NI

Total SPL Leave Assigned:13 weeks
Paid ShPP Weeks:0 weeks
Unpaid Leave Weeks:13 weeks
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What Is Shared Parental Leave and Who Is Eligible?

Shared Parental Leave (SPL) gives parents more flexibility in how to share the care of their child in the first year following birth or adoption. Instead of the mother taking the entire 52 weeks of maternity leave, she can choose to end her leave early and convert the remaining weeks into SPL, which can be taken by either partner.

To be eligible, both parents must share responsibility for the child. The parent taking the leave must meet the "continuity of employment" test (working for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due), and both parents must meet the "employment and earnings" test (earning an average of at least £123 a week).

How Many SPL Weeks Are Available After Maternity Leave?

The total pool of SPL is created directly from the mother's untaken maternity leave.

Mothers are legally required to take at least 2 weeks of compulsory maternity leave (or 4 weeks if they work in a factory) immediately after the birth. Therefore, the maximum possible Shared Parental Leave available is 50 weeks. Out of those 50 weeks, up to 37 weeks can be paid as Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP). If you are currently on maternity leave, you can check your standard pay using our Maternity Pay Calculator.

Can Both Parents Take SPL at the Same Time?

Yes! One of the biggest advantages of SPL is flexibility. You can choose to take leave at the exact same time, allowing both parents to be at home together during crucial early months. Alternatively, you can take it in turns (e.g., the mother takes the first 6 months, then returns to work while the partner takes the next 3 months). You can even take the leave in up to 3 separate blocks rather than all at once, subject to employer agreement.

Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) Rate 2026/27

For the 2026/27 tax year, Statutory Shared Parental Pay is paid at a flat rate of £194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

It is important to note that ShPP does not include the initial 6 weeks at 90% of full pay that mothers get on Statutory Maternity Pay. If the mother transfers to SPL within those first 6 weeks, she immediately drops to the flat £194.32 rate. Therefore, it is usually financially beneficial for the mother to use her first 6 weeks of Maternity Pay before triggering SPL. Remember that ShPP is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance—you can see how this affects your monthly budget using our Take-Home Pay Calculator.

Enhanced SPL — Does Your Employer Top It Up?

Many companies offer "Enhanced Maternity Pay" (e.g., 3 months at full pay). However, they are not legally required to offer the same enhancement for Shared Parental Leave.

Before committing to SPL, you must check your employer's HR policy. If your partner's employer offers enhanced Paternity Pay but only statutory SPL, it might be more beneficial for them to take standard Paternity Leave first. Check out our Paternity Pay Calculator to compare options.

Parental Rights

Frequently asked questions

How much is Statutory Shared Parental Pay in 2026?
For the 2026/27 tax year, Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is paid at a flat rate of £194.32 per week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).
How do we split Shared Parental Leave between partners?
You can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay. The mother must take the first 2 weeks (or 4 weeks for factory workers) as compulsory maternity leave. The remaining weeks can be divided however you choose: you can take them all in one go, in alternating blocks, or even simultaneously.
Am I eligible for Shared Parental Leave?
To qualify for SPL, both parents must meet specific employment and earnings tests. You must have been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due, and earn an average of at least £123 per week.
Can both parents take SPL at the same time?
Yes. You can choose to be off work together. For example, if you have 30 weeks of SPL available, you could both take 15 weeks off at the exact same time.
What is the difference between maternity leave and SPL?
Maternity leave is an individual right belonging solely to the mother (52 weeks total). Shared Parental Leave is created by the mother actively ending her maternity leave early, converting the untaken weeks into a shared pool that either partner can use.
Does enhanced maternity pay transfer to Shared Parental Leave?
Not automatically. While some progressive employers offer the same enhanced pay for SPL as they do for maternity leave, many do not. You must check your specific employer's policy. If they do not offer enhanced ShPP, you will only receive the statutory £194.32 per week.
How many weeks of SPL are left after maternity leave?
The maximum SPL pool is 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay. To find your remaining pool, subtract the total number of maternity leave weeks the mother has taken (or plans to take) from 52.
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