National Minimum Wage Checker
Enter your age, how you're paid, and the hours you work to find out instantly whether you're being paid at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage. We also flag common deduction traps that can silently push your effective hourly rate below the legal minimum.
Select Apprentice if you're in an apprenticeship programme
The minimum wage rate depends on your age band
Your gross pay before tax and deductions
Include regular overtime if it's genuinely worked every week
Tick any that apply — these can push your effective rate below the minimum wage even if your headline pay looks correct
National Minimum Wage Explained
Who qualifies, how deductions can silently push you below the legal minimum, what to do if you're being underpaid, and the difference between the NMW, NLW and the voluntary Real Living Wage.
Read the Guide →How to Use This Checker
- Worker type — select Apprentice if you're in a formal apprenticeship. This affects which rate applies to you.
- Age — the minimum wage rate changes at ages 18 and 21. For apprentices aged 19 or over in their second year or later, your age-band rate applies rather than the apprentice rate.
- How you're paid — choose hourly, weekly, monthly or annual pay. We convert everything to an effective hourly rate for comparison.
- Hours per week — use your average hours. If you work variable hours, use a realistic weekly average. Include regular overtime that you genuinely work every week.
- Deductions — tick any deductions your employer makes that could reduce your effective pay below the minimum wage. These are checked separately and flagged even if your headline rate looks correct.
The 2026–27 Minimum Wage Rates
All rates effective from 1 April 2026:
| Category | Rate (Apr 2026) | Full-time equivalent (37.5 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage — aged 21 and over | £12.71/hr | ~£24,785/yr |
| National Minimum Wage — aged 18 to 20 | £10.85/hr | ~£21,158/yr |
| National Minimum Wage — under 18 | £8.00/hr | ~£15,600/yr |
| Apprentice rate — under 19, or 19+ in first year | £8.00/hr | ~£15,600/yr |
Annual equivalents are indicative (37.5-hour week × 52 weeks). The accommodation offset from 1 April 2026 is £11.10 per day — employers may only deduct up to this amount from wages for provided accommodation without breaching minimum wage rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Living Wage in 2026–27?
£12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026 for all workers aged 21 and over. This is the legal minimum — not the voluntary Real Living Wage (currently £13.45) set by the Living Wage Foundation, which is higher. Your employer is legally required to pay at least £12.71; the Real Living Wage is voluntary.
What rate applies if I'm 21 but an apprentice in my first year?
The apprentice rate of £8.00 applies if you are in your first year of apprenticeship, regardless of your age. Once you have completed your first year and are aged 19 or over, your age-band rate applies — for a 21-year-old that would be the full National Living Wage of £12.71.
What if my employer pays me less than minimum wage?
Paying below the minimum wage is illegal. You can report your employer to HMRC via their Pay and Work Rights helpline or online at gov.uk. HMRC can investigate and require repayment of arrears with a penalty of up to 200% of the underpayment on top. You are protected from dismissal or detriment for asserting your right to minimum wage. You can also make a tribunal claim for unlawful deduction from wages.
Can my employer count tips as part of minimum wage?
No. Since October 2024, tips paid by card or through employer-administered tipping systems cannot be counted towards minimum wage. Your base pay before tips must meet or exceed the legal minimum rate for your age. Cash tips given directly by customers are not covered by this rule, but most hospitality employers now pool and distribute tips.
Does minimum wage apply to all hours I actually work, or just contracted hours?
All hours actually worked. If you regularly work unpaid overtime, finish late, do mandatory training outside contracted hours, or are required to be at your employer's premises before or after your paid shift, those hours count for minimum wage purposes. Divide your actual pay by actual hours worked to get your true effective hourly rate.
Which deductions can push me below minimum wage?
Employer-imposed deductions for uniforms, tools, equipment, or other items you must have for work can reduce your effective pay below minimum wage if they take your net pay below the legal rate. Accommodation deductions above £11.10 per day also count. Salary sacrifice schemes that take your pay below minimum wage are also unlawful — your employer must ensure the sacrificed amount doesn't push your hourly rate below the floor. Statutory deductions like tax and National Insurance do not count against minimum wage.
Is there a difference between the NMW and NLW?
They are both legally enforced minimum pay rates set by the government. The National Living Wage (NLW) is the rate for workers aged 21 and over — it is simply the highest band of the statutory minimum wage. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) refers to the lower rates for younger workers. The same rules and enforcement mechanisms apply to both.
I'm on a zero-hours contract — does minimum wage still apply?
Yes. Zero-hours contract workers have the same minimum wage rights as any other worker. Every hour you work must be paid at or above the applicable minimum wage rate for your age. The fact that hours are not guaranteed does not change your entitlement.