What this estimate uses
Eligible childcare cost, Cost frequency, Child’s circumstances.
UK tools calculator
Tax-Free Childcare Calculator UK 2026
How much could the government add to your childcare account?
Estimate the UK government top-up and parent contribution for one child’s eligible childcare costs.
Your estimate
Live result
Estimated annual government top-up
—How it works
A useful estimate, with the assumptions out in the open.
The estimate is for one child and treats the entered amount as eligible provider cost spread evenly across a year. It applies a 20% government share up to the selected annual cap. It does not determine eligibility or model irregular three-month entitlement periods.
GOV.UK — Tax-Free ChildcareThis result is an educational estimate. Rates, taxes, fees, product rules, and market returns can change.
UK-focused guide
How much Tax-Free Childcare top-up could I receive in the UK?
Enter one child’s eligible weekly, monthly or annual childcare cost. The calculator estimates the government top-up, your contribution and whether the standard or disabled-child annual cap limits the result.
Important assumption
The estimate is for one child and treats the entered amount as eligible provider cost spread evenly across a year. It applies a 20% government share up to the selected annual cap. It does not determine eligibility or model irregular three-month entitlement periods.
Created and maintained byAll Tool Central
Formula and content reviewed20 October 2026
See how estimates are builtCalculation methodology
Detailed guide
Understand the result before using it.
This UK Tax-Free Childcare calculator estimates the government contribution towards one child’s eligible childcare bill. It converts weekly, monthly or annual costs to a yearly total, applies the 20% top-up and limits it to the selected annual maximum.
How the Tax-Free Childcare top-up works
For every £8 an eligible parent pays into a childcare account, the government adds £2. Looked at as a provider bill, the government therefore funds 20% and the parent funds 80%, until the applicable cap is reached.
The usual maximum government contribution is £500 every three months, up to £2,000 a year for each child. For a disabled child, the corresponding limits are £1,000 every three months and £4,000 a year.
FormulaEstimated annual top-up = lower of (annual eligible childcare cost × 20%) or the selected annual cap
Example: childcare costs of £1,000 a month
A £1,000 monthly bill becomes £12,000 over a full year. Twenty per cent is £2,400, so the standard £2,000 annual cap limits the estimated government top-up. The parent contribution is therefore £10,000 for £12,000 of provider payments.
| Child’s circumstances | Government top-up | Parent contribution | Cap position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard annual cap | £2,000 | £10,000 | £400 restricted by cap |
| Disabled-child annual cap | £2,400 | £9,600 | Below £4,000 cap |
What this calculator does not decide
The result is not an eligibility decision. GOV.UK considers the child’s age and circumstances, work, earnings, each partner’s adjusted net income, immigration status and whether the household receives Universal Credit, childcare vouchers or certain other support.
The calculation also assumes costs are spread evenly across the year. Actual deposits and top-ups are managed in three-month entitlement periods, so an irregular childcare pattern may reach a quarterly cap differently from the annualised illustration.
Before using the estimate
- Enter eligible payments to an approved childcare provider for one child only.
- Select the disabled-child option only when the child meets the official scheme conditions.
- Check both partners’ eligibility where applicable; one partner above the adjusted-net-income limit can affect the claim.
- Do not cancel Universal Credit or childcare vouchers solely because this estimate looks higher.
- Confirm current eligibility and support combinations through the official GOV.UK service.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does the government add to Tax-Free Childcare?
The government adds £2 for every £8 an eligible parent pays in. This is equivalent to 20% of the total childcare bill until the applicable cap is reached.
What is the maximum Tax-Free Childcare top-up?
The usual maximum is £500 every three months and £2,000 a year for each child. For a disabled child, it is £1,000 every three months and £4,000 a year.
Is Tax-Free Childcare the same as taking 20% off my bill?
It has that effect while the top-up remains below the cap: you pay 80% into the account and the government contributes the remaining 20%. Above the cap, you pay the additional cost yourself.
Does this calculator check whether I am eligible?
No. It estimates the top-up only. Use the official GOV.UK eligibility guidance for work, earnings, income, age, immigration and benefit conditions.
Can I receive Tax-Free Childcare with Universal Credit or childcare vouchers?
GOV.UK states that Tax-Free Childcare cannot be claimed at the same time as Universal Credit or childcare vouchers. Check which support is better before changing an existing claim.