Child Support Calculator for Canada

How child support is calculated in Canada

Child support in Canada is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which establish a table based system. The amount depends primarily on two factors: the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children. Each province has its own table that accounts for provincial tax rates, but the underlying framework is the same across Canada.

The table amount represents the base level of support. On top of the base amount, parents may also share Section 7 expenses (special or extraordinary expenses like childcare, medical costs, and extracurricular activities) proportional to their respective incomes. When parents share parenting time roughly equally (40% or more each), the calculation starts with a set off method where each parent's table amount is calculated and the difference is paid.

Health-related expenses only count as Section 7 expenses when they're more than what insurance pays back by at least $100 a year (Federal Child Support Guidelines, section 7(1)(c)).

For incomes over $150,000, the guidelines use a percentage-based formula for the portion above $150,000. Below is a sample of the Ontario table amounts to give you an idea of what to expect. Your province's amounts may differ slightly due to tax rate differences. For a detailed explanation, see our complete child support guide.

Sample amounts based on the Ontario table. Actual amounts vary by province.

Orders and agreements made before October 1, 2025 aren't updated automatically. To change an existing order, you need an agreement, a court variation or a recalculation service (Justice Canada).

What affects the amount

Several factors determine the final child support amount beyond the basic table lookup:

• The paying parent's gross annual income (before tax)
• The number of children the support is for
• The province where the paying parent lives
• The parenting time arrangement (sole, shared, or split)
• Both parents' incomes if parenting time is shared (40% or more each)
• Section 7 special or extraordinary expenses (childcare, medical, extracurriculars)

What this calculator doesn't account for

This calculator provides an estimate based on the Federal Child Support Guidelines tables. It does not account for undue hardship claims, support for adult children (over 18 in full-time education), stepparent obligations, income from self employment that may need to be adjusted, or situations where a parent is intentionally underemployed. A family lawyer can help you understand how these factors apply to your specific situation.