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📘 About the Furlough Calculator
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), better known as furlough, ran from 1 March 2020 to 30 September 2021. HMRC paid employers a grant towards the wages of employees who were furloughed. The scheme is closed, but employers and employees still use these figures to check past claims, payslips and HMRC compliance letters.
Choose the claim period: the grant was 80% of usual wages (capped at £2,500 a month) for most of the scheme, falling to 70% and 60% in September–October 2020 and July–September 2021, when employers had to top up to 80%. From July 2020 flexible furlough let employees work part-time; the grant then covers only the furloughed hours.
🧮 Formula
Monthly figures for a full calendar month. HMRC's own calculator used daily amounts for part months; the NIC and pension grant here is an estimate using monthly thresholds (£732 and £520).
✏️ Worked examples
£3,500 a month, December 2020
You get| Furlough grant for wages (£) | 2,500 |
| Employee receives at least (£) | 2,500 |
| Employer must top up (£) | 0 |
| Employer NIC grant (£, Mar–Jul 2020 only, estimate) | 0 |
| Pension grant (£, Mar–Jul 2020 only, estimate) | 0 |
| Total claim (£) | 2,500 |
Grant capped at £2,500.
Try this example →£2,000, October 2020
You get| Furlough grant for wages (£) | 1,200 |
| Employee receives at least (£) | 1,600 |
| Employer must top up (£) | 400 |
| Employer NIC grant (£, Mar–Jul 2020 only, estimate) | 0 |
| Pension grant (£, Mar–Jul 2020 only, estimate) | 0 |
| Total claim (£) | 1,200 |
Grant £1,200; employer tops up £400.
Try this example →£2,400, half hours furloughed, Aug 2021
You get| Furlough grant for wages (£) | 720 |
| Employee receives at least (£) | 960 |
| Employer must top up (£) | 240 |
| Employer NIC grant (£, Mar–Jul 2020 only, estimate) | 0 |
| Pension grant (£, Mar–Jul 2020 only, estimate) | 0 |
| Total claim (£) | 720 |
Grant £720, top-up £240.
Try this example →🧭 How to use this calculator
What you enter
- Usual monthly wages (£)
- Claim period
- Usual hours in the periodFor flexible furlough. Leave equal to furloughed hours for full furlough.
- Furloughed (unworked) hours
What you get
- Furlough grant for wages (£)
- Employee receives at least (£)
- Employer must top up (£)
- Employer NIC grant (£, Mar–Jul 2020 only, estimate)
- Pension grant (£, Mar–Jul 2020 only, estimate)
- Total claim (£)
💡 Grant rates by month
- March–August 2020: 80% up to £2,500 (employer NIC and pension contributions also covered until July).
- September 2020: 70% up to £2,187.50; October 2020: 60% up to £1,875.
- November 2020 – June 2021: 80% up to £2,500.
- July 2021: 70% up to £2,187.50; August–September 2021: 60% up to £1,875.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is furlough still running?
No. The scheme closed on 30 September 2021. Claims had to be made by 14 October 2021; amendments are now only possible by contacting HMRC.
How much was the furlough grant?
Usually 80% of usual wages, capped at £2,500 a month. It was 70% (cap £2,187.50) and 60% (cap £1,875) in September/October 2020 and July–September 2021.
Did employers have to pay the 20%?
No, except in the taper months: in September 2020 and July 2021 they had to top up 10%, and in October 2020 and August–September 2021 20%, so employees still got 80%.
Is the furlough grant taxable?
Yes. Employees paid income tax and NIC on furlough pay, and businesses had to include the grant as income.