National Minimum Wage Calculator (from April 2026)
Select your age band and enter your weekly hours to see your minimum hourly, weekly and annual pay under the rates effective 1 April 2026 — and check whether you are being paid legally.
How it works
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage (21 and over) is £12.71 an hour. Workers aged 18-20 get at least £10.85, and under-18s and apprentices £8.00. Rates are set annually by the Low Pay Commission and always change on 1 April.
A full-time worker (37.5 hours) on the NLW earns at least £476.63 a week — about £24,785 a year before tax. Use our take-home pay calculator to see the net figure.
The minimum wage is a legal floor for almost all workers — including part-time, casual and agency staff. If unauthorised deductions (uniforms, tools) drag your effective pay below the rate for hours worked, your employer is breaking the law; check via gov.uk or ACAS (0300 123 1100) and claims can be backdated up to 6 years.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage from April 2026?
£12.71 an hour for workers 21 and over (National Living Wage), £10.85 for 18-20 year olds, and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices. Apprentices over 19 who have completed their first year are entitled to the rate for their age, not the apprentice rate.
How much is minimum wage per year?
For a 21+ worker: about £24,785 gross on a 37.5-hour week (£476.63 a week), or £26,437 on 40 hours. After tax and National Insurance the 37.5-hour figure is roughly £21,300 take-home. Your exact annual pay depends on your contracted hours.
My payslip works out below minimum wage — what can I do?
First check the maths: total pay for the reference period ÷ hours worked must be at least your age rate. Deductions for uniforms or tools that pull you below the rate are unlawful. Raise it with your employer, then ACAS or HMRC's complaint line — HMRC can force repayment of up to 6 years of arrears and fine the employer.