Maternity Leave Calculator UK
Last reviewed: July 2026
Enter your due date to estimate useful UK maternity leave planning dates, including employer notice timing and the earliest usual leave start.
This page is for planning only and is not legal or employment advice. Check GOV.UK and your employer policy before making decisions.
Maternity leave date calculator
Enter your due date to estimate key UK maternity leave planning dates.
How the dates are estimated
UK maternity leave rules are based on the expected week of childbirth. This calculator uses the Sunday at the start of the week your baby is due, then estimates common planning dates from that week.
Key UK maternity leave reminders
- Statutory Maternity Leave is up to 52 weeks.
- The earliest usual start date is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth.
- You normally need to tell your employer at least 15 weeks before the beginning of the week your baby is due.
- For Statutory Maternity Pay, you usually need to give at least 28 days' notice of when you want pay to start.
- Your doctor or midwife can give you a MATB1 certificate no more than 20 weeks before your due date.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Maternity pay and leave
- GOV.UK: How to claim maternity pay and leave
- GOV.UK: Pregnant employees' rights