Unfair dismissal compensation calculator
Unfair dismissal compensation has two parts: a basic award worked out like redundancy pay, and a compensatory award for the money you lost. This gives a rough figure using the limits for dismissals from 6 April 2026 and the change on 1 January 2027.
You’ll need your dates of birth, starting and leaving, your weekly pay before and after tax from a recent payslip, and a realistic estimate of how long you will be out of work.
Your result
Enter your dates and pay to see an estimate.
Limits from 6 April 2026. Your inputs stay in this browser.
Figures checked 25 October 2026 Reviewed by [Employment law reviewer] Sources
How the awards are calculated
Basic award
The same formula as statutory redundancy pay: half, one or one and a half weeks’ gross pay for each complete year of service depending on your age, up to 20 years, with each week capped at £751. It can be reduced if your conduct before the dismissal contributed to it, and you do not get it as well as statutory redundancy pay.
Compensatory award
Compensatory award = (lost take-home pay + lost pension + other losses) × (1 + uplift) × (1 − conduct reduction) For dismissals before 1 January 2027 the result is capped at the lower of £123,543 and 52 weeks’ gross pay. For most people the 52-week figure is the lower one. Tribunals also take off anything you earned elsewhere, and can reduce the award if a fair process would have led to dismissal anyway.
Worked example
Tom, born 1 March 1988, worked from 1 September 2019 until he was dismissed on 30 September 2026. He earned £650 a week gross and £510 take-home. He expects to be out of work for 20 weeks, then start a job paying £470 a week take-home, and claims 26 weeks of that £40 shortfall. He includes £500 for loss of statutory rights.
Basic award: 7 years, all aged 22 or over, so 7 × £650 = £4,550. Compensatory award: 20 × £510 + 26 × £40 + £500 = £11,740, which is under the 52-week cap of £33,800. Estimated total: £16,290.
Before you rely on this
You usually have to start Acas early conciliation within 3 months less one day of the dismissal before you can make a tribunal claim. Most claims settle, often through a settlement agreement or Acas COT3, for less than a full award. A solicitor or trade union adviser can tell you how strong your claim is. Northern Ireland has its own industrial tribunal limits, which this tool does not use.
Questions people ask
What is the maximum compensation for unfair dismissal?
For dismissals with an effective date of termination from 6 April 2026, the compensatory award is capped at the lower of £123,543 and 52 weeks’ gross pay. The basic award is capped at 30 weeks’ pay with each week limited to £751, so £22,530. The cap does not apply to dismissals for whistleblowing or certain health and safety reasons.
Is the compensation cap being removed?
Yes. Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, the cap on the compensatory award is removed for dismissals where the effective date of termination is on or after 1 January 2027. The calculator applies the cap or not depending on the date you enter.
How long do I need to have worked to claim unfair dismissal?
Two years for most claims where the dismissal takes effect before 1 January 2027. From 1 January 2027 the qualifying period falls to 6 months. Some dismissals are automatically unfair from day one, such as dismissal for whistleblowing, pregnancy or asserting a statutory right.
Is constructive dismissal compensation worked out the same way?
Yes. If a tribunal finds you were constructively dismissed and that it was unfair, the basic and compensatory awards are calculated in the same way as for any other unfair dismissal.
What is the Acas uplift?
If your employer unreasonably failed to follow the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures, a tribunal can increase the compensatory award by up to 25%. If you were the one who failed to follow it, the award can be cut by up to 25%.
Do I have to look for another job?
Yes. You are expected to reduce your loss by looking for work. If a tribunal thinks you could have found a job sooner, it will award less. Keep a record of applications.
Sources
This calculator gives general information, not legal or financial advice. A court, tribunal, the Home Office or the scheme administrator makes the actual decision. Read the disclaimer, and for advice on your own situation speak to a regulated adviser, a solicitor or Citizens Advice.