National Minimum Wage Calculator UK 2026/27 — Your Pay by Age and Hours
Enter your age band and weekly hours to instantly calculate your legal minimum hourly rate, weekly, monthly and annual pay for 2026/27. The calculator also checks whether your current wage meets HMRC compliance thresholds, using rates effective 1 April 2026.
Last updated: June 2026
Calculate Minimum Wage Earnings
Weekly Gross
Monthly Gross
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Est. Take-Home
Holiday Pay Value
Overtime Value
Income Tax
National Insurance
National Minimum Wage & National Living Wage Rates April 2026 - March 2027 (Current)
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates were updated on 1 April 2026. The NLW increased to £12.71/hour, continuing the government's target to align with two-thirds of median earnings.
| Age Group | Hourly Rate | Weekly (37.5hrs) | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over NLW | £12.71 | £476.63 | £2,065.38 | £24,784.50 |
| 18-20 years NMW | £10.85 | £406.88 | £1,763.13 | £21,157.50 |
| Under 18 NMW | £8.00 | £300.00 | £1,300.00 | £15,600 |
| Apprentice NMW | £8.00 | £300.00 | £1,300.00 | £15,600 |
Key Change for 2026/27
The National Living Wage increased to £12.71/hour from April 2026 (up from £12.21 in 2025/26). Workers aged 21 and over receive this rate. The age threshold was lowered from 23 to 21 in April 2024, benefiting approximately 143,000 workers aged 21-22.
Understanding the Difference: NMW vs NLW
National Living Wage (NLW)
- Higher rate introduced in 2016
- Applies from age 21 (from April 2024)
- Target: two-thirds of median earnings
National Minimum Wage (NMW)
- Introduced in 1999
- Different rates by age band
- Apprentice rate for year 1 or under 19
- Legally enforceable minimum
Historical Minimum Wage Rates
Understanding how minimum wage rates have increased over time helps workers and employers plan for future changes and understand the trajectory of wage growth in the UK.
| Year | NLW (21+) | 18-20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | £12.71 | £10.85 | £8.00 | £8.00 |
| April 2025 | £12.21 | £10.00 | £7.55 | £7.55 |
| April 2024 | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
| April 2023 | £10.42* | £7.49 | £5.28 | £5.28 |
| April 2022 | £9.50* | £6.83 | £4.81 | £4.81 |
| April 2021 | £8.91* | £6.56 | £4.62 | £4.30 |
| April 2020 | £8.72* | £6.45 | £4.55 | £4.15 |
* NLW applied to workers 23+ until April 2024 when threshold lowered to 21+
Key Milestones in UK Minimum Wage History
Employer Compliance: NMW/NLW Requirements
All UK employers must comply with minimum wage legislation. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties, including fines of up to 200% of arrears owed (maximum £20,000 per worker) and public naming by HMRC.
What Counts Towards Minimum Wage?
Counts Towards NMW/NLW
- Basic hourly pay
- Performance bonuses and incentive pay
- Commission payments
- Most piece rates
- Sleep-in shifts (active working time)
Does NOT Count
- Tips paid directly by customers
- Premium overtime rates (only base counts)
- Expenses and travel reimbursement
- Benefits in kind (except accommodation)
- Pension contributions
Accommodation Offset
Employers providing accommodation can offset a maximum of £11.10 per day (£77.70 per week) from pay for the 2026/27 year. This is the only benefit in kind that counts towards minimum wage. If charging above this offset, the excess must not reduce pay below NMW/NLW.
Who Is Entitled to Minimum Wage?
The National Minimum Wage applies to all workers in the UK, including:
- Full-time and part-time employees
- Agency workers
- Workers on zero-hours contracts
- Home workers and piece workers
- Trainees and interns (in most cases)
- Workers on probation periods
- Disabled workers (sheltered employment rate was abolished in 2017)
Exempt Categories
Genuine volunteers, self-employed people, company directors (unless also workers), family members in family businesses (living in the home), and some fishermen on share fishing agreements are not entitled to NMW/NLW.
Take-Home Pay Calculation
Understanding how much of your minimum wage earnings you'll actually take home is crucial for budgeting. Here's how tax and National Insurance affect minimum wage workers in 2026/27:
Tax and NI Thresholds 2026/27
Minimum wage workers need to understand two key thresholds. The Personal Allowance is £12,570/year (£241.73/week) -- you pay no income tax below this. The Basic Rate Band runs from £12,571 to £50,270 and is taxed at 20%. Employee National Insurance is charged at 8% above the Primary Threshold (also £12,570). A full-time NLW worker earning £24,784.50 falls entirely within the basic rate band.
Full-Time NLW Worker (37.5 hrs)
Gross annual: £24,784.50. After income tax (-£2,443) and National Insurance (-£977), estimated take-home pay is £21,364 per year.
Part-Time NLW Worker (20 hrs)
Gross annual: £13,218.40. After income tax (-£130) and National Insurance (-£52), estimated take-home pay is £13,037 per year. Part-time NLW workers earning below the Personal Allowance keep almost all their pay.
NI Rate Reduction Benefit
The January 2024 NI cut from 12% to 8% means a full-time NLW worker on the 2026/27 rate saves approximately £489 per year compared to the old 12% rate. This puts an extra £40.72 per month in workers' pockets.
Apprentice Minimum Wage Explained
Apprentices have a specific minimum wage rate of £8.00 per hour from April 2026, but this only applies in certain circumstances. Understanding when the apprentice rate applies is crucial for both employers and apprentices.
When Does the Apprentice Rate Apply?
The apprentice rate of £8.00/hr applies in two situations: (1) the apprentice is under 19 (regardless of which year of apprenticeship), or (2) the apprentice is aged 19 or over but in their first year of the apprenticeship. Once an apprentice aged 19+ has completed their first year, they are entitled to the age-appropriate NMW/NLW rate (for example, £12.71/hr if aged 21 or over).
Example Calculation
A 20-year-old apprentice in their second year is entitled to the 18-20 rate of £10.85/hour, not the apprentice rate. If they turn 21 during their apprenticeship (beyond year 1), they're entitled to the full NLW of £12.71/hour.
Apprenticeship Training Time
Important: Time spent on off-the-job training is considered working time and must be paid at least the minimum wage. This includes:
- Classroom or workshop training
- Online learning during work hours
- Study time for apprenticeship qualifications
- Assessment and exam preparation
Holiday Pay for Minimum Wage Workers
All workers, regardless of their wage rate, are entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days for full-time) of paid annual leave. For minimum wage workers, understanding how holiday pay is calculated is essential.
Calculating Holiday Pay
Holiday pay should be calculated based on normal earnings, including:
- Regular overtime
- Commission and bonuses
- Regular allowances
- Regular shift premiums
At the NLW, a full-time worker (37.5 hrs/week) receives 28 days' (5.6 weeks) paid holiday worth approximately £2,669 per year. A part-time worker (20 hrs/week) is entitled to a pro-rata equivalent of roughly 15 days, worth about £763. Zero-hours workers accrue holiday at 12.07% of hours worked.
Rolled-Up Holiday Pay
From April 2024, employers can use "rolled-up" holiday pay for irregular hours and part-year workers. This means adding 12.07% to each payment to cover holiday pay. This must be clearly shown on payslips.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates based on 2026/27 rates and standard assumptions. Actual take-home pay may vary based on your specific circumstances, tax code, pension contributions, student loan repayments, and other factors. For official minimum wage enforcement or complex situations, contact HMRC or seek professional HR advice.
Sources Checked — This calculator is checked against official GOV.UK sources and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: April 2026.
Pro Tips for Accurate Results
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Understanding Your Results
Our National Minimum Wage Calculator provides:
- Instant calculations - Results appear immediately
- Accurate formulas - Based on official UK standards
- Clear explanations - Understand how results are derived
- 2026/27 updated - Using current rates and regulations
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Official Sources
Official Sources & References
Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026.