About the UK Minimum Wage Checker
This UK minimum wage checker finds the legal minimum hourly rate that applies to you and tests whether your actual pay meets it. From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour, the rate for 18 to 20 year olds is £10.85, and the rate for under-18s and apprentices is £8.00. You can also switch to the April 2025 rates to check older pay periods.
Enter your age, whether you are an apprentice, and either your hourly rate or your total weekly pay and hours. The checker works out your effective hourly rate for minimum wage purposes, including two common traps: accommodation charged above the daily accommodation offset (£11.10 a day from April 2026), and deductions for things like uniforms or tools that the employer requires and which pull your pay below the minimum.
It is for workers, parents of young workers and small employers who want a quick, honest check. It does not replace HMRC’s detailed rules on working time (for example travel between assignments, sleep-ins or salaried hours), and any arrears HMRC recovers are paid at the current rate, which can be higher than the shortfall shown here.
How to use the uk minimum wage checker
- 1Pick the rate year that matches the pay period you are checking.
- 2Enter your age and tick the apprentice box if it applies.
- 3Enter your hourly rate, or your total pay for the week, and the hours worked.
- 4Add any accommodation charge and work-related deductions.
- 5Read the verdict, your effective rate and any shortfall.
Formula and method
The checker first picks your minimum rate: the National Living Wage at 21 and over, the 18–20 rate, the under-18 rate, or the apprentice rate if you are an apprentice aged under 19 or in the first year of your apprenticeship. Apprentices aged 19 or over who have finished their first year get the rate for their age.
It then works out pay for minimum wage purposes. Accommodation is the only benefit in kind that can count towards the minimum wage, and only up to the accommodation offset per day; any charge above that is deducted. Deductions or payments for items connected with the job, such as uniforms or tools, also reduce minimum-wage pay. Dividing by hours worked gives the effective hourly rate, which is compared with the minimum.
- Minimum rate
- £12.71 (21+), £10.85 (18–20), £8.00 (under 18 and apprentices) from April 2026
- Offset
- Accommodation offset: £11.10 per day from April 2026 (£10.66 from April 2025)
Worked examples
25-year-old on £12.50 an hour
From April 2026 the National Living Wage is £12.71. At £12.50 an hour the worker is £0.21 an hour short, or £7.88 for a 37.5-hour week.
19-year-old paid £400 for 35 hours
£400 ÷ 35 hours = £11.43 an hour, which is above the 18–20 rate of £10.85.
Accommodation charged above the offset
The offset allows £11.10 × 7 = £77.70 a week. Charging £120 means £42.30 counts against pay, so £508.40 − £42.30 = £466.10 for 40 hours, an effective £11.65 an hour. Over 10 weeks that is £423 short.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in the UK from April 2026?+
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour. The rate is £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices.
Who gets the apprentice rate?+
Apprentices aged under 19, and apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After the first year, an apprentice aged 19 or over must be paid at least the rate for their age.
Can my employer count accommodation towards the minimum wage?+
Yes, but only up to the accommodation offset, which is £11.10 a day (£77.70 a week) from April 2026. If they charge more than this, the excess reduces your pay for minimum wage purposes.
Do tips count towards the minimum wage?+
No. Tips, gratuities and service charges cannot be used to make up the minimum wage. Employers must pay at least the minimum rate from wages alone.
What can I do if I am underpaid?+
Raise it with your employer first. If that does not work, you can complain to HMRC through Acas or the GOV.UK pay and work rights service. HMRC can order arrears, paid at current rates, and fine the employer.
Results are general estimates and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction — consult a qualified attorney.