Child Benefit Calculator United Kingdom

Child Benefit is a tax-free payment for anyone responsible for bringing up a child. This calculator shows how much you receive for 2026/27 from the number of children you have, with weekly, monthly and annual totals.

How Child Benefit is paid

There are two rates: a higher weekly rate for the eldest or only child, and a lower rate for each additional child. Payments usually arrive every four weeks, and there is no limit on the number of children you can claim for. The benefit is normally paid to the parent or carer with main responsibility, and it gives National Insurance credits towards the State Pension to a parent who is not working, which is why it is worth claiming even if you expect to pay some back. Only one person can receive it for a given child, so separated parents need to agree who claims; if both claim, HMRC decides who has priority.

Who counts as an eligible child

Child Benefit is generally paid until the 31 August after a child’s 16th birthday, and can continue up to their 20th birthday if they stay in approved full-time education (such as A levels or an equivalent course) or approved training. It stops if the young person starts paid work of 24 hours or more a week, claims certain benefits in their own right or leaves approved education. You can also claim for an adopted child and, in some circumstances, a child you foster, and Guardian’s Allowance may be added where a child has lost their parents. The calculator counts every child you enter as eligible, so check the age rules yourself.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge

Child Benefit is not means-tested, but a separate tax charge claws some of it back if you or your partner has adjusted net income above a threshold. The charge rises gradually with income and, above an upper threshold, cancels the benefit entirely through the tax system. You can still claim and pay the charge, or claim without receiving payments to keep the National Insurance credits. This calculator shows the full entitlement; the High Income Child Benefit Charge calculator works out any clawback.

A worked example

With one child, the benefit is £27.05 a week, about £1,407 a year. A second child adds £17.90, bringing the total to £44.95 a week, about £2,337 a year. A third adds another £17.90, giving £62.85 a week and about £3,268 a year. Each further child adds the same amount. Because payments come every four weeks, a family receives 13 a year; the calculator’s monthly figure spreads the annual total evenly to fit a monthly budget.

How to use the calculator

Enter the number of children you are responsible for. The result shows your Child Benefit weekly, monthly and yearly, and splits the annual total between the eldest child and the additional children. Use it to check your payments, to budget for a new arrival or to see the yearly value before considering the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Claiming and keeping it up to date

Claim as soon as a child is born or comes to live with you. Claims can be backdated by up to three months, so a delay can cost you money. Claiming also means the child is sent a National Insurance number automatically shortly before their 16th birthday. Tell HMRC promptly if circumstances change: a child leaving education, a move abroad, a new bank account or a change in who has main care all affect entitlement. If your income is expected to rise above the charge threshold, you do not have to stop the claim; you can keep the payments and settle the charge later, or opt out of payments while keeping the claim for its pension credits.

A new baby does not add to your payments automatically. You have to claim for each child, and with backdating limited to three months, registering early protects the full amount. Payments for an older child stop when they leave approved education or training, so if a teenager finishes their course or starts full-time work, tell HMRC promptly to avoid an overpayment you would have to repay. Run the calculator again whenever your household changes.

Assumptions and limitations

This is an estimate. It applies the two standard 2026/27 weekly rates and assumes you are entitled to Child Benefit for each child you enter. It does not apply the High Income Child Benefit Charge, changes part-way through the year, shared care arrangements or Guardian’s Allowance. The rates are stored as parameters sourced from HMRC and reviewed each tax year.

About This Child Benefit Calculator

Use this child Benefit calculator to get an instant, accurate estimate. The figures follow official GOV.UK guidance and every rate and threshold is kept up to date for 2026. Adjust the inputs above to match your situation, or browse all our calculators to plan your next step.