Universal Credit calculator (estimate)
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Estimate your monthly Universal Credit from your circumstances, children, eligible rent, take-home earnings and savings. This tool covers the core elements and the 55% earnings taper — it is a guide, not an official award.
- Estimated monthly UC
- £400.14
- Maximum before earnings
- £400.14
- Earnings reduction
- − £0.00
| Standard allowance | £400.14 |
|---|---|
| Child element | £0.00 |
| Housing element | £0.00 |
| Less earnings (55% taper) | − £0.00 |
| Less savings (tariff income) | − £0.00 |
| Estimated monthly Universal Credit | £400.14 |
This is a rough estimate of the main Universal Credit elements using 2025/26 monthly rates. It does not include childcare, disability, carer or limited-capability elements, and benefit rates are uprated every April. For an accurate figure use the official calculators at gov.uk or an independent benefits calculator such as those from Turn2us or entitledto.
Official rates & thresholds used
United Kingdom · tax year 2026/27 · last verified . These figures match the parameters embedded in this calculator.
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard allowance (single, under 25) | £316.98 / month | — |
| Standard allowance (single, 25+) | £400.14 / month | — |
| Standard allowance (couple, under 25) | £497.55 / month | — |
| Standard allowance (couple, 25+) | £628.10 / month | — |
| Child element (other children) | £292.81 / month | — |
| Work allowance (with housing element) | £404 / month | — |
| Work allowance (no housing element) | £673 / month | — |
| Earnings taper rate | 55% | UC reduces by 55p for every £1 earned above the work allowance. |
Primary sources: DWP; DWP. Always confirm live figures on gov.uk before acting.
How it works
- We start with your standard allowance, set by whether you claim as a single person or a couple and whether you are under or over 25.
- We add the child element for up to two children (the two-child limit), using the higher rate if your oldest child was born before 6 April 2017, plus a housing element equal to the eligible rent you enter.
- We then reduce the total by 55p for every £1 you earn. A work allowance — an amount you can earn before the taper bites — only applies if you are responsible for a child or have limited capability for work; otherwise all your earnings are tapered. Finally we apply 'tariff income' of £4.35 a month for every £250 of savings between £6,000 and £16,000. Savings above £16,000 usually mean no Universal Credit at all.
Common questions
- Is this an official Universal Credit figure?
- No. It is a rough estimate of the main elements to help you plan. For an accurate figure, use the calculators on gov.uk or an independent benefits calculator such as Turn2us or entitledto.
- How does work affect my Universal Credit?
- Above your monthly work allowance, your payment falls by 55p for every £1 you earn. There is no fixed cut-off — your award simply tapers down as your earnings rise.
- Do my savings affect Universal Credit?
- Yes. Savings and capital between £6,000 and £16,000 reduce your award through 'tariff income' of £4.35 a month per £250. Above £16,000 you usually cannot claim Universal Credit.