About the Universal Credit Calculator
This Universal Credit calculator estimates your monthly UC award for 2026/27. It builds your maximum award from the standard allowance and any extra amounts — children, disabled children, the LCWRA health element, the carer element, housing costs and 85% of childcare — and then takes off 55p for every £1 of take-home pay above your work allowance, plus other income and any tariff income from savings.
It is designed for working families checking how a pay rise or extra hours changes their UC, for people about to claim, and for anyone wondering whether they are still entitled. The chart shows how UC falls and total income rises as earnings increase.
Rates are those from 6 April 2026: for example £424.90 a month for a single person aged 25 or over and £303.94 for each child. The two-child limit ended on 6 April 2026, so every child counts. New health claims from that date get the lower £217.26 LCWRA amount unless the condition is severe and lifelong (£429.80). The benefit cap, deductions for advances or debts, and housing cost limits such as the Local Housing Allowance are not applied — enter the housing amount UC would actually allow.
With the default inputs, the estimated universal credit (monthly) is £1,003.69. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the universal credit calculator
- 1Choose single or couple and whether anyone is 25 or over.
- 2Enter the number of children and any disability additions.
- 3Select a health element or carer element if you get one.
- 4Enter eligible housing costs and childcare costs.
- 5Enter monthly take-home pay, other income and savings to see your award.
Formula and method
The maximum award adds the standard allowance (£424.90 single 25+, £666.97 couple 25+), £303.94 per child (plus £47.94 if the first child was born before 6 April 2017), disabled child additions, the LCWRA health element or the carer element, eligible housing costs and 85% of registered childcare (up to £1,071.09 for one child or £1,836.16 for two or more).
If you have children or the LCWRA element you get a work allowance — £427 a month if UC pays housing costs, otherwise £710. Take-home pay above it is tapered at 55%. Most other income is deducted pound for pound. Savings between £6,000 and £16,000 count as £4.35 a month of income for each £250 (or part) above £6,000; above £16,000 there is no entitlement.
- WA
- Work allowance: £427 with housing costs, £710 without
- 55%
- Earnings taper rate
Worked examples
Single parent, one child, £700 rent, £1,200 take-home
Maximum award is £424.90 + £303.94 + £700 = £1,428.84. Pay above the £427 work allowance is £773, and 55% of that is £425.15, leaving £1,003.69 of Universal Credit.
Couple, three children, no housing costs, £2,000 take-home
The couple rate of £666.97 plus three child elements (£911.82) gives £1,578.79 — all three children count now the two-child limit has ended. With no housing costs the work allowance is £710, so 55% of £1,290 (£709.50) is deducted, leaving £869.29.
Single, no children, £600 take-home and £8,000 savings
Without children or LCWRA there is no work allowance, so 55% of all £600 (£330) is deducted from £924.90. Savings of £2,000 above £6,000 add 8 × £4.35 = £34.80 tariff income, leaving £560.10.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Universal Credit in 2026/27?+
The monthly standard allowance is £338.58 for a single person under 25, £424.90 for a single person 25 or over, £528.34 for a couple both under 25 and £666.97 for a couple where either is 25 or over, plus any extra amounts.
What is the Universal Credit taper rate?+
Universal Credit falls by 55p for every £1 of take-home pay above your work allowance. If you have no work allowance the taper applies from the first pound you earn.
What is the work allowance for 2026/27?+
If you have children or limited capability for work and work-related activity, you can earn £427 a month before UC is reduced if it includes housing costs, or £710 a month if it does not. Others get no work allowance.
Has the two-child limit ended?+
Yes. The two-child limit ended on 6 April 2026, so Universal Credit now pays the £303.94 child element for every child. Families affected saw higher payments from May or June 2026 depending on their assessment period.
How do savings affect Universal Credit?+
Savings up to £6,000 are ignored. Between £6,000 and £16,000, UC assumes £4.35 a month of income for every £250 (or part of £250). If you have more than £16,000 you usually cannot get Universal Credit.
What is the benefit cap?+
The benefit cap limits total benefits for working-age households that are not working enough or receiving certain disability benefits. It does not apply if you earn at least the earnings threshold, so check GOV.UK if you have no or low earnings.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.