Minimum Wage Calculator UK
Check the UK minimum wage from April 2026 by age band. The National Living Wage is £12.71 for 21 and over — see your hourly, weekly, monthly and yearly minimum.
Last updated 21 June 2026 · Written and reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic
Minimum wage calculator
April 2026 NLW £12.71 and NMW rates.
Estimate only — figures use the latest published UK rates. Always confirm on GOV.UK.
What is the minimum wage in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the UK minimum wage rates rise. The National Living Wage — for workers aged 21 and over — becomes £12.71 an hour. Younger workers and apprentices have lower minimum rates. These are the legal minimums your employer must pay you for every hour worked; many jobs pay more. This calculator shows what your age-banded minimum works out to per week, month and year.
At the 2026/27 National Living Wage of £12.71, a 37.5-hour week earns £476.63 a week — about £24,785 a year before tax.
National Minimum Wage rates from April 2026
| Age / type | From April 2026 | April 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (NLW) | £12.71 | £12.21 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £10.00 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £7.55 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £7.55 |
Source: GOV.UK — National Minimum Wage rates. Rates change every 1 April.
Who gets the National Living Wage?
The higher National Living Wage applies to all workers aged 21 and over. The apprentice rate applies to apprentices under 19, or those over 19 in the first year of their apprenticeship — after that they move to the rate for their age. If you are paid less than the legal minimum for your age, your employer is breaking the law and you can report it to HMRC.
Minimum wage and your take-home pay
The figures here are gross. Income tax and National Insurance only start once your earnings pass the relevant thresholds, so many minimum-wage workers keep most of their pay. To convert any rate into a yearly salary, use our hourly wage calculator; for extra shifts see our overtime pay calculator. You may also be able to top up low pay with Universal Credit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour. It is £10.85 for 18 to 20-year-olds, and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices.
Who gets the National Living Wage?
All workers aged 21 and over are entitled to the National Living Wage, which is £12.71 an hour from April 2026. Younger workers receive a lower minimum rate based on their age.
What is £12.71 an hour per year?
At £12.71 an hour, a 37.5-hour week is about £24,785 a year, and a 40-hour week is around £26,437 a year, before income tax and National Insurance.
What is the apprentice minimum wage?
The apprentice rate is £8.00 an hour from April 2026. It applies to apprentices aged under 19, or those aged 19 and over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship. After that they get the rate for their age.
What if I'm paid less than minimum wage?
It is illegal to pay below the minimum wage for your age. You can raise it with your employer, and report it confidentially to HMRC, which can order back pay and fine the employer.