The 2026/27 minimum wage rates
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage set the lowest hourly pay an employer can legally offer, and the rates change on 1 April each year. From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour. Workers aged 18 to 20 get £10.85, and under-18s and apprentices get £8.00. Pick your age band above and the calculator shows the minimum you should be paid, plus what that comes to across a week, a month and a year.
Minimum wage vs the National Living Wage
The two names describe one system. The National Living Wage is the top band, for workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage covers the lower bands for younger workers and apprentices. Both are legal minimums that every employer has to meet. The voluntary Real Living Wage, set by the Living Wage Foundation, is a separate figure that some employers choose to pay, and it is not the rate this calculator uses.
Working out your weekly, monthly and annual pay
Your minimum weekly pay is your hourly rate times your weekly hours. Multiply that by 52 for the year, then divide by 12 for a month. On the £12.71 National Living Wage, 37.5 hours a week is £24,784.50 a year, and 40 hours a week is £26,436.80 a year, both before tax. These are gross figures, so what you take home is lower once tax and National Insurance come off.
How to check your pay meets the minimum
Enter your actual hourly pay in the optional field and the calculator compares it to the minimum for your band. If you are being underpaid, it shows the gap per hour and roughly how much that adds up to over a year. Raise it with your employer first, since it is often a payroll slip. If it is not fixed, Acas can advise and HMRC can investigate and order back pay. Your rate can dip below the headline figure if deductions for things like uniforms or tools take you under, so those count too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in the UK from April 2026?
From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour, up from £12.21. The rate for 18 to 20 year-olds is £10.85, up from £10.00. The rate for under-18s and for apprentices is £8.00, up from £7.55. Every employer has to pay at least these rates, and they apply for the whole 2026/27 year.
What is the minimum wage salary for 37.5 hours a week?
On the National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour, 37.5 hours a week works out at £476.63 a week and £24,784.50 a year before tax (£12.71 × 37.5 × 52). For an 18 to 20 year-old on £10.85, the same hours give £406.88 a week and £21,157.50 a year. Change the age band and hours in the calculator to see your own figure.
How much is 40 hours a week on minimum wage in the UK?
At the £12.71 National Living Wage, 40 hours a week is £508.40 a week and £26,436.80 a year before tax (£12.71 × 40 × 52). For an 18 to 20 year-old on £10.85, 40 hours is £434.00 a week and £22,568 a year. These are gross figures, so your take-home is lower after tax and National Insurance.
Is £12.21 still the minimum wage?
No. £12.21 was the National Living Wage for the 2025/26 year, from April 2025. From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage rose to £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over. If you are being paid £12.21 in the 2026/27 year, your pay is below the current minimum and your employer should top it up.
How do I check if I am being paid the minimum wage?
Enter your age band and your actual hourly pay in the calculator above. It compares your pay to the minimum for your band and tells you if you are compliant or short, and by how much per hour and per year. If you are being underpaid, raise it with your employer first, then contact Acas or report it to HMRC, which can order back pay.
What is the difference between the minimum wage and the National Living Wage?
They are two parts of the same system. The National Minimum Wage is the term for the rates paid to workers under 21 and to apprentices. The National Living Wage is the higher rate for workers aged 21 and over, currently £12.71 an hour. This is separate from the voluntary Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation, which some employers choose to pay but is not a legal minimum.
This tool estimates minimum wage pay as a guide, not employment or legal advice. Rates follow gov.uk for the year from 1 April 2026. Deductions and unpaid working time can affect whether your pay meets the minimum.
