UK minimum wage 2026 — £12.71 NLW
Statutory rates from 1 April 2026. Convert hourly pay to weekly and yearly gross, then open the take-home calculator. This is not the voluntary Living Wage Foundation rate.
Updated 3 Sep 2026 Official sites linked Free · no account
Hourly → weekly / year
- Weekly gross
- £476.63
- Monthly (÷12)
- £2,065.38
- Yearly (×52)
- £24,784.50
Gross only — tax, NI/FICA, overtime and salary sacrifice are extra.
UK take-home after tax →National Living Wage and NMW from 1 April 2026
Weekly and yearly columns assume 37.5 hours with no overtime — a common full-time contract, not a legal definition of full time.
| Band | Hourly | 37.5h week | ×52 year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21+) | £12.71 | £477 | £24,785 |
| 18–20 | £10.85 | £407 | £21,158 |
| 16–17 | £8.00 | £300 | £15,600 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £300 | £15,600 |
| Accommodation offset (daily) | £11.10 | — | — |
How to use this like GOV.UK expects
- 1
Confirm the legal rate for your age
From 1 April 2026 the NLW for ages 21+ is £12.71. Younger workers and apprentices use the NMW table on GOV.UK.
- 2
Convert hours to gross
Hourly × contracted hours. A 37.5-hour week at £12.71 is about £24,785 a year before tax.
- 3
Check take-home
Income tax and National Insurance reduce net pay. Use the UK salary calculator — do not treat gross as take-home.
- 4
If you are underpaid
ACAS and HMRC national minimum wage enforcement are the official routes. This calculator is not a claim form.
NLW vs Real Living Wage
| What | Statutory NLW | Living Wage Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| Legal floor? | Yes — all covered workers | No — accredited employers only |
| Set by | Government after LPC advice | Living Wage Foundation (voluntary) |
| Use this page for | Contract / payslip check | Campaign or employer pledge only |
If the hourly rate looks too low
Keep payslips, timesheets and the contract. GOV.UK explains how to complain about minimum-wage underpayment. ACAS can talk through deductions and notice. We do not file claims or contact your employer.
FAQs
What is the UK minimum wage from April 2026?
National Living Wage for ages 21+ is £12.71 an hour. 18–20 is £10.85. 16–17 and the apprentice rate are £8.00. Accommodation offset is £11.10 a day. Source: Low Pay Commission / GOV.UK, in force 1 April 2026.
Is the Real Living Wage the same as NLW?
No. The statutory NLW is the legal floor. The Living Wage Foundation’s voluntary rates are higher and only bind employers who accredit. Always compare a contract to GOV.UK, not a campaign rate.
How much is £12.71 after tax?
A 37.5-hour week is about £24,785 gross a year. Net depends on tax code, NI category, student loan and pension. Run the UK take-home calculator with that gross.
Do overtime and tips count?
Minimum wage is tested against pay for the hours you work in the pay reference period. Tips, some premiums and salary-sacrifice deductions have special rules — GOV.UK ‘calculating the minimum wage’ is the authority.
What is the apprentice rate?
£8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026 if you are an apprentice in the first year, or under 19. After year one and age 19+ you move to the age band. Check the contract and GOV.UK.
London weighting — is there a higher legal rate?
There is no separate statutory London NLW. Inner London may pay more by policy or the voluntary Living Wage. The legal floor is still the national table.
Official sources
Use these sites for the legal answer. We summarise; they decide.
-
GOV.UK — National Minimum Wage rates
Legal hourly rates from 1 April 2026, including the accommodation offset.
Open official site → -
Low Pay Commission
Independent advice the government accepted for the April 2026 uprating.
Open official site → -
ACAS — pay and wages
Practical help if pay, hours or deductions look wrong.
Open official site →
Estimate only. Overtime, salary sacrifice, sleep-in shifts and piece rates can change the legal test. GOV.UK and HMRC decide. Not legal advice.