UK Minimum Wage
Calculator 2026/27
Check whether your hourly pay meets the National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage for your age group, and see what you should be earning.
National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates 2026/27
The government sets minimum wage rates each April. From April 2026, the rates are as follows:
| Age group | Rate per hour | Annual (37.5 hrs/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.21 | £23,809.50 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.00 | £19,500.00 |
| Under 18 (above school leaving age) | £7.55 | £14,722.50 |
| Apprentice | £7.55 | £14,722.50 |
The apprentice rate applies to apprentices under 19, or those aged 19 and over who are in their first year of their apprenticeship. Once an apprentice turns 19 and completes their first year, they are entitled to the minimum wage for their age group.
What counts as pay for minimum wage purposes?
Employers must count basic pay, incentive payments, and certain allowances. They cannot count overtime premiums, tips paid directly by customers, benefits in kind (such as a company car), or expenses towards minimum wage calculations. Deductions for tools or uniforms that bring pay below the minimum wage are not permitted.
Related calculators
Once you know your annual equivalent salary, use the main salary calculator to see your full take-home after income tax and National Insurance. Our hourly to salary calculator converts any hourly rate to an annual figure based on your contracted hours. Want to see your net pay per hour after all deductions? The take home pay calculator can break results down to a weekly or daily level. If you work overtime, our overtime calculator handles enhanced rates. Our income tax calculator shows whether your earnings cross any income tax threshold. Facing redundancy? Our redundancy pay calculator shows your statutory entitlement.
Frequently asked questions
The National Living Wage for 2026/27 is £12.21 per hour. It applies to all workers aged 21 and over and is the legal minimum an employer must pay. The rate is reviewed each April by the government following Low Pay Commission recommendations.
The National Living Wage (NLW) is the higher rate paid to workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) refers to the lower rates for younger workers: £10.00 per hour for ages 18–20, and £7.55 per hour for those under 18 or in the first year of an apprenticeship.
Paying below the minimum wage is illegal. HMRC enforces compliance and can require employers to repay arrears immediately plus a penalty of up to 200% of the underpaid amount (minimum £100, maximum £20,000 per worker). Workers can report underpayment to HMRC's National Minimum Wage helpline at 0800 917 2368.
No. Minimum wage legislation only applies to workers with an employment contract (including zero-hours contracts). Genuinely self-employed people set their own rates and are not entitled to minimum wage protection. If you are uncertain about your employment status, HMRC provides an employment status checker tool.