National Living Wage & Minimum Wage Calculator (UK 2026)
Calculate National Living Wage and Minimum Wage earnings for any hours and check whether pay packets meet the legal minimum.
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National Living Wage Guide
What's the key thing to understand about NLW and NMW Rates April 2026?
National Living Wage (21+): £12.71 per hour (from 1 April 2026). National Minimum Wage rates: 18-20 years: £10.85/hour. 16-17 years and apprentices (first year or under 19): £8.00/hour. Accommodation offset: £11.10/day. Rates typically increase each April following the Low Pay Commission's recommendations. Government target: NLW to reach two-thirds of median earnings.
What Counts as Pay for NMW?
Counts toward NMW/NLW: basic pay. Commission and bonuses (averaged over pay period). Does NOT count toward NMW: tips and gratuities (discretionary — received directly by worker). Loans and salary advances. Pension contributions by employer. Travel expenses, tools, equipment, uniforms. Deductions for accommodation: employers can deduct up to £9.99/day for accommodation (2024 rate) — amounts above this bring effective hourly pay below NLW. Sleep-in shifts: care workers on sleep-in shifts are legally entitled to at least NMW for the whole shift, not just the hours they're actively awake and working, following a series of tribunal rulings.
What should I know about Reporting Underpayment?
How to report if you think you are being underpaid: HMRC National Minimum Wage helpline: 0800 917 2368 (free, confidential). Online report via gov.uk. Your employer cannot legally dismiss you or treat you unfairly for reporting. HMRC powers: HMRC investigates complaints and conducts its own compliance checks. Underpaying employers must repay workers in full plus a penalty of 200% of the underpayment (minimum £100, maximum £20,000 per worker). Named and shamed: HMRC publishes lists of employers found to have underpaid the minimum wage, which can cause reputational damage well beyond the financial penalty itself.
What's the difference between Living Wage and Real Living Wage?
The government's National Living Wage is distinct from the Living Wage Foundation's Real Living Wage. Real Living Wage 2024: UK rate: £12.00/hour. London Living Wage: £13.15/hour. The Real Living Wage is independently calculated to reflect the actual cost of living — higher than the NLW. Over 14,000 UK employers are accredited Living Wage Foundation employers. Paying the Real Living Wage is voluntary but signals commitment to fair pay. Employee benefits of Real Living Wage employers: higher retention, better morale, and evidence of a genuine commitment to fair pay beyond the legal minimum.