Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) calculator

Free tool

Estimate UIFSM allocations for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 using published meal rates and the census formula used in DfE guidance.

Inputs

Funding year

October: Year 1 and Year 2 all meals

Meals taken by all pupils in Year 1 and Year 2 on census day.

October: Year 1 and Year 2 FSM meals

Meals taken by pupils already eligible for means-tested FSM.

October: Reception all meals

Meals taken by all Reception pupils on census day.

October: Reception FSM meals

Reception meals taken by pupils already eligible for FSM.

January: Year 1 and Year 2 all meals

Meals taken by all Year 1 and Year 2 pupils on census day.

January: Year 1 and Year 2 FSM meals

Meals taken by pupils already eligible for means-tested FSM.

January: Reception all meals

Meals taken by all Reception pupils on census day.

January: Reception FSM meals

Reception meals taken by pupils already eligible for FSM.

Outputs

2026-27 (estimated) uses a meal rate of £2.66 over 190 school meal days.

Formula

(Year 1 and Year 2 average + greater of Reception average or January Reception) x meal rate x 190

Year 1 and Year 2 average basis

0 October eligible + 0 January eligible, divided by 2

Reception average

0 October eligible + 0 January eligible, divided by 2

Reception basis used

Greater of Reception average or January Reception eligible pupils

Eligible pupil basis

Year 1 and Year 2 average plus Reception basis used

Total allocation£0.00

Apr to Aug final allocation£0.00

Sep to Mar provisional allocation£0.00

Budget split

Selected basis: Estimated 2026 to 2027 workbook rate. Census reference: October 2025 and January 2026.

Apr to Aug: 5/12 of total allocation
Sep to Mar: 7/12 of total allocation

Useful resources

Guidance and use

UIFSM supports schools to provide free school meals to all Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils in state-funded schools.
The calculator subtracts meals taken by pupils already eligible for free school meals before applying the UIFSM meal rate.
The Reception calculation uses the greater of the average eligible Reception count and the January eligible Reception count.

Important note

Indicative calculator only. The 2026/27 rate is an estimate from the supplied workbook and should be checked against final DfE publication. Always verify allocations, rates, and payment arrangements against official DfE guidance.