2025 child support tables in Canada: how the table amount works

The current Federal Child Support Tables took effect October 1, 2025. The table amount is the starting point for many child-support calculations and depends mainly on the paying parent’s income, province or territory, and number of children — but it is not always the final amount.

On this page: The three basic inputs Income Why the base amount may change Shared parenting Which table year Income changes Why province matters What the table amount covers

The three basic inputs

Justice Canada's 2025 child support table look-up uses three core pieces of information: the number of children, the province or territory where the paying parent lives, and the paying parent's before-tax annual income. The result is the base monthly table amount.

The official 2025 Federal Child Support Tables came into effect October 1, 2025. Justice Canada says the 2017 tables should still be used for periods between November 22, 2017 and September 30, 2025.

The income number is not always “whatever was on the last paycheque”

For straightforward salaried employment, line 15000 income can be an important starting point, but the Federal Guidelines contain rules for determining annual income. Self-employment, fluctuating income, non-recurring amounts and certain deductions can require more analysis.

That is one reason an official table lookup can be mathematically correct for the income entered but still not answer a dispute about what income figure should legally be used.

Why the base table amount may not be the final amount

Justice Canada specifically warns that the base amount is often not the final child-support amount. Special or extraordinary expenses can be added. Shared parenting can require consideration of additional factors. Other guideline provisions can apply depending on the family's circumstances.

For section 7 expenses, use the table amount as one part of the support picture rather than assuming it covers every child-related expense.

Shared parenting is more than subtraction

People often compare each parent's table amount and calculate the difference. That arithmetic can be useful for planning, which is why we provide a table amount comparison. The calculator only shows that arithmetic difference; it does not treat the result as the final support obligation.

Make sure you are using the right table period

The 2025 tables apply from October 1, 2025 onward. Historical arrears or retroactive periods may require the table that applied during that earlier period. The official Justice Canada lookup page links both the current and previous tools.

For historical periods, do not simply use today's table and multiply backward. Justice Canada specifically keeps earlier table tools because the relevant table depends on the period being calculated.

What if income changes?

Child support is tied closely to income, so a material income change can affect the table amount. Existing orders do not automatically rewrite themselves every time a new table is published or income changes. Depending on the arrangement, parents may update by agreement, use a recalculation service if available, or apply to change an order.

Why the paying parent's province matters

The federal tables are province- and territory-specific because tax treatment differs across Canada. The Justice Canada lookup asks for the province or territory where the paying parent lives. If a parent moves, or if the parents live in different jurisdictions, the correct table question can become more technical.

What the table amount is designed to cover

The table amount is the basic monthly child-support amount. It is calculated from a standardized table rather than by adding up every grocery bill, school lunch or ordinary clothing purchase. That is one reason parents should be careful about treating normal day-to-day child costs as separate section 7 expenses.

Section 7 deals with specific special or extraordinary expenses that meet the guideline rules. The base table amount and section 7 expenses are therefore related parts of the support calculation, but they are not the same thing.

Practical takeaway: the table lookup is excellent for the base amount. The harder questions are often the correct guideline income and what adjustments or additional expenses apply afterward.

Current federal child support tables and table look-up

For support periods from October 1, 2025 onward, Justice Canada says to use the 2025 Federal Child Support Tables. The official table look-up uses the paying parent’s before-tax annual income, province or territory of residence, and number of children to return the base monthly table amount. Open Justice Canada’s 2025 child support table look-up.

In BC, the Family Law Act requires child support to be determined under the child support guidelines, subject to the exceptions in the Act. For earlier support periods, use the table version that applied during that period rather than automatically using today’s table. BC Family Law Act — child support.

Common child support table questions

How much is child support in Canada?

There is no single Canada-wide dollar amount. The base table amount depends on the paying parent’s income, the province or territory used for the table, and the number of children. Other guideline rules can change the final amount.

Is the federal child support table the final amount?

Not always. The table amount is the base monthly amount. Special or extraordinary expenses, shared-parenting rules, income disputes and other guideline provisions can affect the final result.

Which child support table should I use for Ontario, BC, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan?

Use the current Justice Canada table for the paying parent’s province or territory of residence for the support period you are calculating. The federal look-up includes province- and territory-specific tables.