The April 2026 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates for every age band — annualised to a salary and shown as real take-home pay. No sign-up.
⚖︎ Results are for informational purposes and do not constitute tax advice. For specific situations, consult a licensed accountant or the relevant tax authority.
iHow it is calculated
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the least an employer can legally pay per hour; for workers aged 21 and over it is called the National Living Wage (NLW). From 1 April 2026 the hourly rates are £12.71 for 21 and over, £10.85 for 18–20, £8.00 for under 18s, and £8.00 for apprentices. This calculator takes the rate for your age band, multiplies it by your weekly hours and 52 weeks to annualise it into a yearly salary, then works out the take-home after Income Tax and National Insurance. It is prefilled with the annualised full-time National Living Wage.
annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
A full-time worker on the National Living Wage (£12.71, 21 and over) doing 37.5 hours a week earns £12.71 × 37.5 × 52 = £24,785 a year gross. After Income Tax (£2,443) and National Insurance (£977) that is a take-home of about £21,365 a year — roughly £1,780 a month. To the employer it costs £27,753 once employer NI (£2,968) is added.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in the UK in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour. Younger bands are lower: £10.85 for 18–20 year-olds, £8.00 for under-18s, and £8.00 for apprentices. The daily accommodation offset is £11.10.
What are all the National Minimum Wage rates from 1 April 2026?
21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 an hour. 18 to 20: £10.85. Under 18 (16–17): £8.00. Apprentice: £8.00. Accommodation offset: £11.10 a day. These apply from 1 April 2026 until the next annual uprating.
How much is the minimum wage a year for a full-time worker?
Multiply the hourly rate by your weekly hours and 52. At the National Living Wage of £12.71 for 37.5 hours a week that is £12.71 × 37.5 × 52 = about £24,785 a year gross. On the 18–20 rate (£10.85) it is roughly £21,158, and on the under-18 or apprentice rate (£8.00) about £15,600.
How much did the minimum wage go up in 2026?
The National Living Wage rose from £12.21 (from 1 April 2025) to £12.71 — up 50p, about 4.1%. The 18–20 rate went from £10.00 to £10.85 (+8.5%), and the under-18 and apprentice rate from £7.55 to £8.00 (about +6%). The accommodation offset rose from £10.66 to £11.10 a day.
When does the minimum wage change — 1 April or 6 April?
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates change on 1 April each year. That is different from the income-tax year, which starts on 6 April. So for the first few days of April the new pay rates apply under the old tax thresholds.
What is the take-home pay on minimum wage in 2026?
A full-time National Living Wage salary of about £24,785 (£12.71 × 37.5h × 52) leaves roughly £21,365 a year after Income Tax (£2,443) and National Insurance (£977) — around £1,780 a month. A round £25,000 gross gives about £21,520 take-home.
How do I turn an hourly rate into an annual salary?
Annual gross = hourly rate × hours worked per week × 52. For £12.71 an hour over 37.5 hours: £12.71 × 37.5 × 52 = £24,785. Change the weekly hours to match your contract — 40 hours at £12.71 would be about £26,437 a year.
What is the accommodation offset?
If your employer provides accommodation, they can count part of its value towards minimum-wage pay. From 1 April 2026 the maximum offset is £11.10 a day (up from £10.66). Anything charged above that reduces your pay for minimum-wage purposes.
What is the difference between the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage?
They are set together, but the National Living Wage is the top band, for workers aged 21 and over (£12.71 from 1 April 2026). "National Minimum Wage" covers the younger bands — £10.85 for 18–20, £8.00 for under-18s and £8.00 for apprentices. Both are legal minimums per hour.
Do apprentices get a lower minimum wage?
Yes. The apprentice rate is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026 — the same as the under-18 rate. It applies to apprentices under 19, or 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After the first year, apprentices aged 21 and over move up to the £12.71 National Living Wage.
What if I'm paid less than the minimum wage?
Underpayment is unlawful. You can raise it with your employer, complain to HMRC, or take a claim to an employment tribunal — HMRC can order back pay plus fines. Check your age band rate against your actual hourly pay: 21 and over £12.71, 18–20 £10.85, under 18 and apprentice £8.00.