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National Minimum Wage checker

Check the correct National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage rate by age or apprentice status from 1 April 2026, and see weekly and annual pay for the hours you enter. Tips don't count towards the minimum.

Rates from 1 April 2026

The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour. The National Minimum Wage is £10.85 at 18 to 20 and £8 under 18. Apprentices get £8 if they're under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship, then the rate for their age (GOV.UK).

Tips don't count

Tips do not count towards the National Minimum Wage. Workers still pay Income Tax on tips and may pay National Insurance. By law, all tips must be passed to workers without deductions (GOV.UK).

Check unusual pay patterns

Travel between work assignments can count as working time for the minimum wage. Sleeping-in shifts, piece rates and unpaid trial shifts have their own rules. GOV.UK's minimum wage calculator covers those cases.

Costing a hire? Use the cost of employing someone calculator for employer NI, pension and holiday on top of wages.

Rates from GOV.UK, checked 15 October 2026. Not payroll advice.

Questions

What is the National Living Wage from April 2026?

£12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over.

What do apprentices get?

£8 an hour if under 19 or in the first year; otherwise the minimum for their age.

Do tips count towards the minimum wage?

No. Tips don't count towards the National Minimum Wage.

What about 18 to 20 year olds?

£10.85 an hour from 1 April 2026.