Minimum Wage Calculator UK
Calculate your estimated take-home pay on the National Living Wage and age-banded UK minimum wage rates.
Based on published UK 2026/27 tax thresholds and minimum wage rates
Last updated: 22 June 2026
Use this minimum wage calculator UK to estimate your take-home pay on the National Living Wage or age-banded minimum wage rates for 2026/27. Enter your hourly rate and weekly hours below.
💰 Your Hours & Rate
to see your estimated take-home pay
UK Minimum Wage Rates 2026/27
| Age Band | Hourly Rate | Annual (37.5 hrs/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.21 | £23,810 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.00 | £19,500 |
| Under 18 | £7.55 | £14,723 |
| Apprentice | £7.55 | £14,723 |
Rates shown are based on published UK minimum wage figures and reviewed annually each April. Always check GOV.UK for the latest confirmed rates.
Understanding UK Minimum Wage Take-Home Pay
The UK National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage set the legal minimum hourly pay rates by age band. These rates are reviewed by the UK government and typically updated each April. For 2026/27, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.21 per hour. Use our Hourly Rate Calculator to see exactly how this affects your take-home pay.
How tax applies to minimum wage earnings
The first £12,570 of annual income is tax-free under the standard Personal Allowance. Many full-time minimum wage earners have income at or just above this threshold, meaning the effective tax rate on minimum wage earnings is typically lower than on higher salaries.
Checking your pay is correct
If you believe you're being paid below the legal minimum wage for your age band, you can report this to HMRC, who are responsible for enforcing minimum wage compliance across the UK.
Minimum Wage Calculator — FAQs
The UK minimum wage rates for 2026/27 vary by age: £12.21/hour for workers aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage), £10.00/hour for ages 18-20, and £7.55/hour for under-18s and apprentices. Always check GOV.UK for the most current confirmed rates, as these are reviewed annually each April.
On the National Living Wage of £12.21/hour working 37.5 hours/week, estimated annual gross pay is approximately £23,810, with estimated take-home pay of around £20,662 per year (£1,722/month) after Income Tax and National Insurance.
Yes, but often only a small amount. The first £12,570 of annual income is tax-free (the Personal Allowance). On a typical full-time minimum wage salary, most income falls within or just above this threshold, resulting in a relatively low effective tax rate.
The National Living Wage is the legal minimum wage rate specifically for workers aged 21 and over. "Minimum wage" is often used as an umbrella term covering all age-banded rates, including lower rates for 18-20 year olds, under-18s and apprentices.
Yes, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates are set by the UK government and apply uniformly across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, take-home pay can differ slightly in Scotland due to different Income Tax bands.
Compare your hourly rate to the current published rate for your age band on GOV.UK. If you believe you're being underpaid, you can report this to HMRC, who enforce minimum wage compliance and can investigate underpayment on your behalf.
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is the UK system employers use to deduct Income Tax and National Insurance directly from your salary before you receive it. Your employer calculates these deductions each pay period using your tax code and sends the tax to HMRC on your behalf.
The Personal Allowance is the amount of income you can earn each tax year before paying any Income Tax. For 2026/27, the standard Personal Allowance is £12,570. It is gradually withdrawn for incomes above £100,000 and reaches zero at £125,140.
Weekly take-home pay is calculated by dividing your annual net income by 52. Daily take-home pay typically divides annual net income by 260 (accounting for weekends), reflecting a standard 5-day working week. Use our Payslip Calculator to check your exact figures.
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