National Minimum Wage Checker
Millions of workers in the UK are underpaid without realising it. Check your age group against the current rates and find out what to do if your employer is breaking the law.
Your Details
You are being UNDERPAID
The legal minimum for your age is £12.71/hr.
What you are missing out on:
National Minimum Wage rates 2026/27
These are the legal minimum rates from April 2026. They apply to all UK workers in the relevant age bands regardless of sector, contract type, or employer size.
| Age band | Rate per hour | Weekly (40hrs) | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over National Living Wage | £12.71 | £508.40 | £26,437 |
| 18–20 National Minimum Wage | £10.00 | £400.00 | £20,800 |
| Under 18 National Minimum Wage | £7.55 | £302.00 | £15,704 |
| Apprentice Apprentice Rate | £7.55 | £302.00 | £15,704 |
Apprentice rate applies if: aged under 19, OR aged 19+ and in the first year of apprenticeship. After the first year, apprentices aged 19+ must be paid the rate for their age (£10.00 for 18–20, or £12.71 for 21+).
What counts as working time for NMW?
Your employer must pay you minimum wage for all "working time" — which is broader than just your scheduled shift hours. This is where many underpayments slip through unnoticed:
✅ Counts as working time
- All scheduled shift time
- Mandatory induction and training
- Time spent travelling between work sites
- On-call time spent at the workplace
- Pre-shift setup and post-shift cash-up
- Time spent waiting for work at the employer's request
❌ Does not count
- Commuting to and from work
- Genuine rest breaks taken away from work duties
- Time spent on personal errands during working day
- Voluntary overtime that isn't then worked
What doesn't count towards your NMW rate?
Some employers reduce workers' effective hourly rates through deductions or arrangements that are either illegal or on the edge of the law. Know what does and doesn't count:
Tips and service charges
Cannot be counted toward NMW since 2009. Since October 2024, all tips must be passed to workers in full.
Uniform deductions that push pay below NMW
If your employer deducts money for uniforms and it brings your hourly rate below the minimum, this is illegal. You cannot waive this right even if you sign an agreement.
Salary sacrifice that reduces pay below NMW
Salary sacrifice arrangements (pension, cycle to work) must not reduce your hourly rate below the minimum wage. If they would, the sacrifice amount must be reduced.
Benefits in kind (accommodation offset aside)
Employer-provided benefits like meals or gym access generally cannot count toward NMW. The only exception is accommodation — employers can offset up to £9.10/day toward NMW.
How to report underpayment to HMRC
If you believe you're being underpaid, there are clear steps to follow. You don't have to confront your employer directly, and your complaint to HMRC is kept strictly confidential.
Check your effective hourly rate
Add up all your actual working time (including prep, training, travel between sites). Divide your gross pay by those hours. If the result is below the minimum for your age, you may be underpaid.
Speak to your employer first (optional)
Many underpayments are genuine payroll errors — especially after a birthday moves you into a higher age band. A quick word with HR or your manager may resolve it quickly and amicably.
Report to Acas or HMRC confidentially
Call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 or use the Gov.uk online reporting tool. All reports are anonymous. Your employer will not be told who made the complaint.
HMRC investigates and enforces
HMRC can compel the employer to repay all arrears going back 6 years, plus a penalty of up to 200% of the underpayment. Named and shamed employers are publicly listed on Gov.uk.
Check your full take-home pay
Make sure your monthly budget adds up. Use our comprehensive payslip calculator to see exactly how much you will take home after tax, pension, and student loan deductions.