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🇬🇧 UK-only · April 2026 Rates · Free

Minimum Wage Checker 2026 — Are You Being Underpaid?

Find out exactly what your true hourly rate is. We'll check if your employer is illegally underpaying you based on the new April 2026 minimum wage laws.

✓£12.71/hr (21+)✓Calculates Exact £ Arrears✓Apprentice Rules Handled✓Free — no sign-up

Your Work Details

Include any training time or travel time between jobs. Do not include normal commuting.

This is your pay BEFORE tax and National Insurance are deducted. Look for 'Gross Pay' on your payslip.

🚨 You are being underpaid.

Your Actual Pay

£10.00/hr

Legal Minimum

£12.71/hr

For the 40 hours you worked, you should have received at least £508.40. You have been underpaid by £108.40 in this period alone.

What should I do?

It is a criminal offence for your employer not to pay the National Minimum Wage. You can:

  • Speak to your employer first (it might be a genuine payroll error).
  • Call the Acas helpline for free, confidential advice.
  • Report your employer directly to HMRC, who can investigate and force them to pay your arrears.
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National Minimum Wage Rates April 2026

In April 2026, the government increased the legal minimum wage for millions of workers. It is a criminal offence for your employer to pay you less than these exact rates per hour worked:

  • Aged 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 per hour
  • Aged 18 to 20: £10.00 per hour
  • Aged 16 to 17: £7.55 per hour
  • Apprentice Rate: £7.55 per hour (only applies if under 19, or in the first year)

Am I Being Underpaid? Common Ways Employers Break the Rules

Many employers do not explicitly pay an hourly rate below the minimum wage. Instead, they illegally force your true hourly rate below the legal limit through unpaid time or illegal deductions.

Deductions That Count Against Your Minimum Wage

If your employer forces you to pay for your own uniform, tools, or equipment, those costs are deducted from your pay when calculating your minimum wage. If you earn £12.71 an hour but have to buy a £30 uniform, you have been illegally underpaid. See our Payslip Explained guide to identify illegal deductions.

Sleep-In Shifts

Workers in the care sector are frequently exploited. If you are required to be at the workplace and are available to work, you must be paid the minimum wage for the entire shift, even if you are asleep.

Unpaid Training Time

If your employer requires you to complete online training modules at home, or attend a team meeting before your shift officially starts, you must be paid for that time. If you are on a zero-hours contract, use our Zero Hours Holiday Pay Calculator to ensure you are also receiving your legal holiday entitlement based on your true hourly rate.

What to Do If You're Being Underpaid

Do not suffer in silence. If our calculator above shows you are owed money, you should:

  1. Speak to your manager in case it is a genuine payroll mistake.
  2. If they refuse to correct it, contact the Acas helpline for free advice.
  3. Report your employer directly to HMRC. HMRC can legally force your employer to pay you the arrears owed, and can issue massive fines.

Your Legal Rights

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in the UK in 2026?
From April 2026, the National Living Wage (for those aged 21 and over) is expected to be £12.71 per hour. For those aged 18-20, it is £10.00 per hour. For under 18s and apprentices, it is £7.55 per hour.
How do I check if I'm being paid correctly?
You can use our free Minimum Wage Checker. Simply input your age, the total hours you worked in your last pay period, and your gross pay before tax. The calculator will tell you exactly what your true hourly rate is and if it falls below the legal minimum.
What should I do if my employer is paying me below minimum wage?
It is a criminal offence to pay below the National Minimum Wage. You should first raise the issue with your employer in case it is a payroll error. If they refuse to fix it, you can call the Acas helpline or report them directly to HMRC, who will force them to pay your arrears.
Does minimum wage apply to zero-hours workers?
Yes, absolutely. Everyone legally classed as a 'worker' in the UK is entitled to the National Minimum Wage, regardless of whether they are full-time, part-time, agency staff, or on a zero-hours contract.
Does sleep-in time count as minimum wage hours?
Usually, yes. If you are required to be at the workplace and are 'available for work', you must be paid at least the minimum wage for the entire shift, even if you are allowed to sleep. However, there are complex exceptions if you live at the workplace.
Can salary sacrifice take my pay below minimum wage?
No. It is illegal for a salary sacrifice arrangement (such as extra pension contributions or a cycle-to-work scheme) to reduce your gross cash earnings below the National Minimum Wage.
What is the minimum wage for apprentices in 2026?
The apprentice rate is £7.55 per hour. However, this only applies if you are under 19, OR if you are aged 19+ but in the first year of your apprenticeship. If you are 19 or older and have completed your first year, you must be paid the standard minimum wage for your age group.
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