Checks Out
All calculators
Benefits & Support2 min check

Child Benefit Calculator (2026/27)

Estimate your weekly Child Benefit and any High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) you may have to pay back.

Short answer

Child Benefit pays £27.05/week for the eldest eligible child and £17.90/week for each additional child in 2026/27. If either partner's adjusted net income exceeds £60,000, HICBC applies, clawing back the full benefit at £80,000.
Step 1 of 10%

Your family

£

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used
Number of eligible children (under 16, or under 20 in approved education), Highest earner's adjusted net income.
Calculation approach
The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage
Benefits & Support. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version
No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.
Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

Child Benefit is paid to the parent who claims (usually the main carer). For 2026/27 it is £27.05/week for the first child and £17.90/week for each subsequent child.

If you or your partner has adjusted net income over £60,000, the High Income Child Benefit Charge takes 1% of the benefit back for every £200 above £60,000. At £80,000, the entire benefit is clawed back.

Worked example

Sam earns £70,000 and has 2 children.

  • Weekly: £27.05 + £17.90 = £44.95 → £2,337.40/year
  • HICBC: (£70k − £60k) / £200 = 50%
  • Clawback: £1,168.70
  • Net benefit: £1,168.70/year

Who should use this

  • •Parents and guardians of under-16s (or under-20s in approved education)
  • •High earners deciding whether to keep claiming
  • •Stay-at-home parents claiming for NI credits

Common mistakes

  • ×Not claiming because of HICBC — you lose NI credits towards State Pension
  • ×Forgetting to tell HMRC when income crosses £60k
  • ×Using gross salary instead of 'adjusted net income' (after pension and Gift Aid)
  • ×Letting your partner's income trigger HICBC without realising

Frequently asked questions

Should I still claim if I'll have to pay it back?▾

Yes — claim but tick 'I don't want to be paid'. You still get NI credits and your child gets a NI number at 16.

Whose income counts for HICBC?▾

Whichever partner has the higher adjusted net income, even if they're not the one claiming the benefit.

Can I reduce HICBC?▾

Yes — pension contributions, salary sacrifice and Gift Aid donations all reduce adjusted net income.

When does Child Benefit stop?▾

When the child turns 16, unless they stay in approved education or training (then up to age 20).

How is Child Benefit paid?▾

Every 4 weeks into a bank account, or weekly if you're a single parent or on certain benefits.

Related calculators

Universal Credit Calculator →Income Tax Calculator →Salary Sacrifice Calculator →Take-Home Pay Calculator →