Estimate UK child maintenance on the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) formula, from the paying parent’s gross weekly income, the number of children and shared-care nights.
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Enter the paying parent’s gross weekly income, the number of children and the nights a year they stay overnight. See the indicative maintenance.
Estimates the Child Maintenance Service calculation (2012 gross-income scheme): basic rate 12% / 16% / 19% of gross weekly income for 1 / 2 / 3+ children, with reductions for shared care and other children at home. The £3,000/week cap applies. The statutory service or a court may reach a different figure.
72.00 £ / week · 312 £ per monthIndicative figures, not advice. This estimates the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) calculation. The statutory service, a court or a family-based arrangement may reach a different figure for your case. Instant in-browser calculation, no account.
Last updated: 11 July 2026 Source: GOV.UK — Child Maintenance
§ Results are for informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, consult a lawyer or a notary.
On the CMS basic rate, a percentage of the paying parent’s gross weekly income is due for the qualifying children — 12%, 16% or 19% for 1, 2 or 3+ children:
At a gross weekly income of £600 with one child: 12% × 600 = £72 a week, about £312 a month. For two children it would be £96 a week, and for three £114.
The Child Maintenance Service uses the paying parent’s gross weekly income. On the basic rate (£200–£800 a week) it is 12% for one child, 16% for two and 19% for three or more, then adjusted for shared care and any other children living with the paying parent.
On the basic rate the paying parent pays 12% of gross weekly income for one child, 16% for two and 19% for three or more children. These are shares of income, not a fixed amount.
On gross weekly income above £800 (up to the £3,000 cap), a lower rate applies to the slice above £800: 9% for one child, 12% for two and 15% for three or more, added to the basic rate on the first £800.
Yes. If the child stays overnight with the paying parent, maintenance is reduced by 1/7 for 52–103 nights a year, 2/7 for 104–155, 3/7 for 156–174 and by half (plus a further £7) for 175 or more nights.
On gross weekly income — earnings before tax and National Insurance, but after any occupational or personal pension contributions. HMRC data from the latest tax year is normally used.
Gross weekly income above £3,000 is not counted by the CMS. The receiving parent can apply to the court for a top-up order on income above that cap.
The flat rate of £7 a week applies to gross weekly income between £7 and £100 (or on certain benefits), and the nil rate applies below that. A reduced rate applies between £100 and £200 a week.
Yes. Before the rate is applied, gross income is reduced by 11%, 14% or 16% where the paying parent has 1, 2 or 3+ other children living with them.
They mean the same thing: 'child maintenance' is the UK term (and 'child support' the everyday or US term) for the money the paying parent contributes toward a child's living costs. This tool estimates it on the CMS formula, whichever word you searched for.