Child Benefit Calculator
Work out your weekly and annual Child Benefit for 2025/26 or 2026/27, and how much the High Income Child Benefit Charge claws back between £60,000 and £80,000.
Your Household
Children you're responsible for, under 16 (or under 20 in approved education or training).
Total taxable income minus pension contributions and Gift Aid (grossed up). Not just your salary.
Leave at 0 if you don't have a partner. The charge falls on whichever of you has the higher income.
2026/27 (current) rates: £27.05/week for the eldest or only child, £17.90/week for each additional child.
Results
Annual Child Benefit
£44.95 a week for 2 children (2026/27 (current))
High Income Charge
No charge — higher income is £60,000 or less
You Keep
Benefit minus the tax charge
Annual figures use weekly rate × 52. HMRC pays Child Benefit 4-weekly (or weekly for single parents and some claimants on other benefits), so the amount received in a given tax year can differ slightly.
Guide & Information
Overview
Simplify your calculations with our Child Benefit Calculator optimized for United Kingdom users.
💡 Tips
- •Double-check your input values
- •Understand what each field represents
- •Use the results as a starting point for decisions
Why Use This Child Benefit Calculator
Accurate calculations save time and help make better decisions.
Regulations: Complies with current United Kingdom regulations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this Child Benefit Calculator?
Simply enter the required values and click calculate. The tool will instantly provide results based on United Kingdom standards.
Can I save my calculations?
You can bookmark this page with your values or take a screenshot of results for future reference.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes, all our calculators are completely free and available 24/7 for United Kingdom users.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Child Benefit per week?
For the 2026/27 tax year it’s £27.05 a week for your eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child (2025/26: £26.05 and £17.25). For two children that’s £44.95 a week, about £2,337 a year. There’s no limit on the number of children — the “two-child limit” applies to Universal Credit, not Child Benefit.
What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
If you or your partner has adjusted net income over £60,000, the higher earner repays 1% of the household’s Child Benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000. At £80,000 or more the entire benefit is clawed back. The charge is collected through Self Assessment or, since 2025, through your PAYE tax code.
Which partner pays the charge?
Always the partner with the higher adjusted net income — even if the other partner is the one who claims and receives the Child Benefit, and even if you’re not married. It’s based on individual income, not household income: two partners each earning £59,000 pay nothing, while a single earner on £81,000 repays it all.
Should I opt out of Child Benefit if I earn over £80,000?
You can opt out of receiving payments to avoid the charge paperwork, but you should still submit the claim form. Claiming (with payments declined) gives the lower-earning or non-working parent National Insurance credits towards their State Pension until the youngest child is 12, and means your child gets a National Insurance number automatically at 16. Between £60,000 and £80,000 you always keep part of the benefit, so opting out costs you money.
How can I reduce or avoid the charge?
The charge uses adjusted net income — total taxable income minus pension contributions and grossed-up Gift Aid donations. Paying enough into a pension to bring the higher earner’s adjusted net income to £60,000 or below removes the charge completely while boosting retirement savings, an effective marginal saving that can exceed 50% for families with several children.
Who qualifies for Child Benefit?
Anyone responsible for a child under 16 — or under 20 if the child stays in approved education or training — who lives in the UK. Only one person can claim for each child. Payments are usually made every 4 weeks, or weekly for single parents and some claimants on certain benefits.