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Statutory Sick Pay Calculator UK 2026/27

Our free sick pay calculator works out your statutory sick pay in 2026/27 — £123.25 a week or 80% of your earnings, whichever is lower, paid from day one of sickness for up to 28 weeks.

How to use this calculator

  1. Gather your detailsYou'll need your average weekly earnings (average over the 8 weeks before your sickness started), how many qualifying days you were off, and how many days a week you normally work.
  2. Enter them aboveThe calculator works out your weekly rate — £123.25 or 80% of your earnings, whichever is lower — then divides it by your normal working days to get your daily rate.
  3. Read your resultsSSP is paid from your first full day off sick for up to 28 weeks. There are no waiting days and no minimum earnings level for absences starting on or after 6 April 2026.

Calculate your sick pay

£123.25
Statutory sick pay for 5 qualifying days (before tax)

Weekly rate: £123.25 — the £123.25 flat rate, because 80% of your earnings is higher. Daily rate: £24.65 (weekly rate ÷ days normally worked).

SSP is paid from your first full day off sick — there are no waiting days for absences starting on or after 6 April 2026, and no minimum earnings level. SSP is taxed as earnings. Your employer may pay more under a contractual sick pay scheme.

How statutory sick pay is worked out

Statutory sick pay is the lower of £123.25 a week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, divided by the days you normally work to give a daily rate, and paid for each qualifying day you are off sick — up to 28 weeks. There are no waiting days and no minimum earnings level for absences starting on or after 6 April 2026.

Worked example: on £400 a week over a five-day week, 80% is £320, above the cap, so you get £123.25 a week — £24.65 a day. Five sick days is £123.25. On £100 a week, 80% is £80, below the cap, so you get £80 a week — £16.00 a day. For the full rules, read how sick pay works.

Sick pay questions

How much sick pay will I get in 2026/27?
Statutory sick pay is £123.25 a week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. Your daily rate is the weekly rate divided by the number of days you normally work — £24.65 a day for a five-day week at the flat rate.
Do the 3 waiting days still apply?
No — not for absences starting on or after 6 April 2026. The Employment Rights Act 2025 abolished the 3 unpaid waiting days, so SSP is now payable from your first full day off sick. Absences that began before 6 April 2026 and were still running then stay under the old rules for that continuous period.
Is there still a minimum earnings threshold for sick pay?
No. The old Lower Earnings Limit (£125 a week in 2025/26) was removed on 6 April 2026. Every employee now qualifies regardless of earnings; the 80% rule means lower earners get 80% of what they normally earn instead of the flat rate.
Who qualifies for statutory sick pay?
You must be an employee (including agency workers), off sick for at least one full day you would normally have worked, and have started work for that employer. Self-employed people do not get SSP. You cannot get SSP while receiving statutory maternity pay or Maternity Allowance.
When do I need a fit note?
Your employer can only ask for a fit note (a statement of fitness for work from a doctor or other healthcare professional) after 7 calendar days off sick. For the first 7 days you can self-certify.

Guide & related calculators

Guide: How Sick Pay WorksDay-one SSP, the 80% rule, fit notes and the 28-week limit explained.Maternity Pay Calculator90% for 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% for 33 weeks.Holiday Pay Calculator5.6 weeks' entitlement and 12.07% accrual for irregular hours.Take-Home Pay CalculatorSalary after income tax, National Insurance and pension for 2026/27.Paternity Pay Calculator£194.32 a week or 90% of earnings for 1–2 weeks, 2026/27 rates.

Sources & official guidance

Estimate only — not legal or financial advice. Rates: 2026/27. See our disclaimer.