Minimum Wage Checker
Check instantly whether you're being paid at least the UK legal minimum wage.
UK minimum wage rates - 2026/27
The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026. Workers aged 18 to 20 are entitled to £10.85 per hour, and workers aged 16 to 17 and apprentices in their first year (or aged under 19) are entitled to £8.00 per hour. These rates were confirmed in the Autumn Budget 2025 and took effect on 1 April 2026.
These are legal minimums. Every worker in the UK is entitled to them regardless of employment status, sector, or the size of the employer. Paying below the minimum wage is illegal. HMRC enforces compliance and can issue penalties of up to 200% of the underpaid amount, plus require the employer to repay arrears.
The annual underpayment figure this calculator shows assumes a standard full-time week of 37.5 hours across 52 weeks - 1,950 hours per year. If you work different hours, multiply your hourly shortfall by your actual annual hours to find your figure. For example, if you work 20 hours per week across 52 weeks and are underpaid by £1.00 per hour, your annual underpayment is £1,040.
Some workers are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage. These include the genuinely self-employed, company directors who are not also workers, volunteers, and members of the armed forces. Workers on zero-hours contracts are entitled to the minimum wage for all hours worked. Unpaid trial shifts are unlawful if they constitute work.
If you believe you are being underpaid, you can report it to HMRC via the Pay and Work Rights helpline or at gov.uk/minimum-wage-your-right. ACAS also offers free, confidential advice. You do not need to leave your job before making a complaint.
Frequently asked questions
Does the minimum wage apply to zero-hours contracts?
Yes. Workers on zero-hours contracts are entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for every hour they work. Employers cannot pay below the legal minimum regardless of the contract type. If you are called in for a shift and sent home early, you are entitled to pay for the hours you actually worked. Some contracts include a minimum hours guarantee - check your contract for details.
Can my employer count tips toward my minimum wage?
No. Since October 2024, tips, gratuities, and service charges cannot be counted toward National Minimum Wage calculations. Your base hourly pay must meet or exceed the legal minimum before any tips are added. If your employer is using tips to top up wages to the minimum, this is unlawful and you can report it to HMRC.
What should I do if my employer refuses to pay the correct minimum wage?
First, raise the issue in writing with your employer - this creates a record. If they do not resolve it, you can report them to HMRC, who investigate minimum wage complaints confidentially and do not require you to be named. You can also make a claim to an employment tribunal for unlawful deduction of wages. ACAS offers free early conciliation before a tribunal claim, which resolves many cases without going to a hearing. There is no fee to make an employment tribunal claim.
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