Child Benefit Calculator
Find out how much Child Benefit you’re entitled to based on how many children you’re responsible for, shown weekly, four-weekly (how it’s actually paid), monthly-equivalent and annually.
Rates by Number of Children
- Eligibility broadly requires the child to be under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training – this calculator doesn’t check individual eligibility, only the payment amount.
- Only one person can claim Child Benefit for a given child.
- The optional High Income Child Benefit Charge summary uses whichever partner has the higher income, is based on the current individual (not household) income basis, and is a planning estimate only – see the full High Income Child Benefit Charge Calculator for a detailed breakdown, including how “adjusted net income” is worked out.
- Rates are set by the government and reviewed each April – always confirm current figures on GOV.UK before making financial decisions.
Child Benefit Calculator UK 2026
Our Child Benefit Calculator shows exactly how much Child Benefit you’re entitled to, based on how many children you’re responsible for – shown weekly, every four weeks (how it’s actually paid), and annually. If you or your partner earns over £60,000, you can also add your income for a quick summary of how the High Income Child Benefit Charge affects what you’ll actually keep.
How Much Is Child Benefit?
Child Benefit pays a higher rate for your eldest or only child, and a lower flat rate for every additional child, with no upper limit on how many children you can claim for.
| Children | Weekly (2026/27) | Annual (2026/27) | Weekly (2025/26) | Annual (2025/26) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £27.05 | £1,406.60 | £26.05 | £1,354.60 |
| 2 | £44.95 | £2,337.40 | £43.30 | £2,251.60 |
| 3 | £62.85 | £3,268.20 | £60.55 | £3,148.60 |
| 4 | £80.75 | £4,199.00 | £77.80 | £4,045.60 |
| 5 | £98.65 | £5,129.80 | £95.05 | £4,942.60 |
Rates are reviewed each April, usually in line with inflation. Always check GOV.UK for the current confirmed figures before relying on them for financial decisions.
Who Can Claim Child Benefit?
- You’re usually eligible if you’re responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training.
- Only one person can claim Child Benefit for a particular child – normally whoever the child mainly lives with.
- There is no cap on the number of children you can claim for, and Child Benefit itself is not means-tested at the point of claiming – though higher earners may have some or all of it clawed back through the tax system (see below). This is a separate rule from the “two-child limit” that applies to the child element of Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit – they are not the same policy, and Child Benefit itself has never had a two-child cap.
The High Income Child Benefit Charge, Briefly
If you or your partner has an adjusted net income over £60,000, a tax charge – the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) – claws back some or all of the Child Benefit paid. The charge is based on whichever partner has the higher individual income, not your combined household income, so two partners each earning £59,000 pay no charge at all, while a single earner on £80,000 loses the entire benefit. The charge increases by 1% of your Child Benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000, reaching 100% – full repayment – at £80,000.
This calculator gives you a quick estimate of that effect using the optional income fields above, but deliberately keeps it brief. For the full mechanics – how “adjusted net income” is worked out, how to pay the charge through PAYE or Self Assessment, and a detailed year-by-year breakdown – use our dedicated High Income Child Benefit Charge Calculator.
How Is Child Benefit Paid?
Child Benefit is normally paid every four weeks, usually on a Monday or Tuesday, directly into a bank account. Some claimants – including single parents and those receiving certain other benefits – can arrange to be paid weekly instead. This calculator shows the four-weekly figure alongside the standard weekly rate so you can see both.
Limitations of This Calculator
- It calculates entitlement based on the number of children only – it does not check individual eligibility criteria such as age, education status, or residency.
- The High Income Child Benefit Charge summary shown here is a brief estimate, not a full calculation – it does not account for the detailed definition of “adjusted net income” (which can be reduced by pension contributions and Gift Aid donations, for example). Use the dedicated HICBC Calculator for a precise figure.
- Rates change annually – always check GOV.UK for the current confirmed rate before making financial decisions.
- This tool provides a planning estimate only. It is not financial or tax advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Child Benefit will I get for one child?
For 2026/27, you’ll receive £27.05 a week for an only or eldest child, which comes to £1,406.60 a year. For 2025/26, the rate is £26.05 a week, or £1,354.60 a year.
Is there a limit to how many children I can claim Child Benefit for?
No. There is no cap on the number of children you can claim Child Benefit for. Each additional child after your eldest attracts the lower additional-child rate. This is different from the child element of Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit, which has separate rules.
Do I have to pay tax on Child Benefit?
Child Benefit itself isn’t taxed, but if you or your partner has an adjusted net income over £60,000, you may need to repay some or all of it through the High Income Child Benefit Charge, collected via Self Assessment or, for many employees, through your PAYE tax code.
Is the High Income Child Benefit Charge based on my income or our combined household income?
It’s based on whichever partner has the higher individual income, not your combined household income. This means two partners each earning £59,000 (a combined £118,000) pay no charge, while a single earner on £80,000 loses the benefit entirely. A change to a household-income basis was proposed but was not taken forward in the Autumn Budget 2024, so the individual-income basis continues to apply.
What happens if my income goes above £80,000?
Once the higher earner’s adjusted net income reaches £80,000, the High Income Child Benefit Charge equals 100% of the Child Benefit received, effectively cancelling it out. Some families in this position choose to opt out of receiving the payments while still submitting a claim, which preserves National Insurance credits and ensures the child is automatically issued a National Insurance number before their 16th birthday.
How often is Child Benefit paid?
Child Benefit is normally paid every four weeks. Single parents, and some people receiving certain other benefits, can request weekly payments instead.