How many weeks of Shared Parental Leave are available?

A birth parent is entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave. The first 2 weeks after birth are compulsory and cannot be transferred. The remaining 50 weeks can be converted into Shared Parental Leave, of which up to 37 weeks may be paid as Statutory Shared Parental Pay.

What is Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP)?

ShPP is paid at the lower of a flat statutory weekly rate or 90% of your average weekly earnings. Up to 37 weeks of pay can be shared between the two parents in any combination they choose, provided both meet the eligibility and earnings tests.

Can both parents take leave at the same time?

Yes. Shared Parental Leave is flexible: partners can take the leave together, in separate blocks, or in alternating periods. The total shared weeks simply cannot exceed what remains after the birth parent's compulsory 2 weeks.

What is the earnings eligibility test?

To qualify for ShPP you must have worked continuously for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the due date and earn at least the lower earnings limit on average. The other parent must also meet an employment-and-earnings test.

Does this replace official HMRC guidance?

No. This is an estimate to help you plan the split of weeks and pay. Your exact entitlement depends on your earnings, employment history and employer policy, so always confirm with HMRC or your HR department before booking leave.

UK Shared Parental Leave Calculator

The UK Shared Parental Leave (SPL) Calculator helps two parents work out how to divide the leave and pay available after a birth or adoption. Shared Parental Leave lets eligible couples convert most of the birth parent’s maternity entitlement into flexible leave that either partner can take, together or in turns. This tool shows how many weeks are transferable and how much Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) each partner would receive.

How it works

A birth parent is entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave. The first 2 weeks after the birth are compulsory and must be taken by the birth parent — they can never be shared. That leaves up to 50 weeks of leave to convert into SPL.

For pay, up to 37 weeks of Statutory Shared Parental Pay are available (52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay minus the first weeks already paid at the higher 90% rate, in practice capped at 37 transferable paid weeks). ShPP is paid at the lower of a flat statutory weekly rate or 90% of average weekly earnings:

ShPP weekly = min(flat statutory rate, 0.90 x average weekly earnings)
Shared weeks available = 52 - weeks kept by birth parent (min 2 compulsory)

The calculator subtracts the weeks the birth parent keeps from the 52-week pool, caps the paid portion at 37 weeks, and splits both leave and pay between the partners according to your chosen division.

Tips and notes

The 2 compulsory weeks rise to 4 weeks if the birth parent works in a factory or workshop.
ShPP and Statutory Maternity Pay use the same flat weekly rate, so converting unused maternity pay to ShPP does not change the headline figure.
Both partners must give their employer at least 8 weeks’ notice of any SPL period.
Pay is an estimate only — your real entitlement depends on your earnings and your employer’s enhanced policy, which may pay more than the statutory minimum.