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Get Started For FreeFree National Minimum Wage Checker UK
Check current and historical UK National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates by age bracket.
Current Rate Checker
Check whether an hourly rate meets the current National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage (from April 2025) and how it compares to the upcoming April 2026 rates.
Select the worker's age group.
The worker's actual hourly rate of pay.
Results
April 2025 Rate
April 2026 Rate (upcoming)
Shortfall Breakdown (based on 37.5 hours/week)
Per hour
Per week
Per year
Historical Rate Check
Check whether a past hourly rate met the legal minimum for a specific year. Use this to verify whether you or an employee were underpaid.
Results
Legal minimum for period
Compliance status
Estimated underpayment (full year)
Rate Comparison Table
All UK National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates from April 2018 to April 2026. Rates shown are per hour.
| Period | NLW (top rate) | 18-20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 (upcoming) | £12.71 (21+) | £10.85 | £8.00 | £8.00 |
| April 2025 (current) | £12.21 (21+) | £10.00 | £7.55 | £7.55 |
| April 2024 | £11.44 (21+) | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
| April 2023 | £10.42 (23+) | £7.49 | £5.28 | £5.28 |
| April 2022 | £9.50 (23+) | £6.83 | £4.81 | £4.81 |
| April 2021 | £8.91 (23+) | £6.56 | £4.62 | £4.30 |
| April 2020 | £8.72 (25+) | £6.45 | £4.55 | £4.15 |
| April 2019 | £8.21 (25+) | £6.15 | £4.35 | £3.90 |
| April 2018 | £7.83 (25+) | £5.90 | £4.20 | £3.70 |
Age Threshold Changes
- April 2024: NLW age threshold lowered from 23+ to 21+. The separate 21-22 rate was removed.
- April 2021: NLW age threshold lowered from 25+ to 23+. A separate 21-22 rate was introduced.
- Before April 2021: NLW applied to workers aged 25 and over only, with a separate 21-24 rate.
21-22 / 21-24 Age Bracket Rates
| Period | Rate | Age bracket |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | £10.18 | 21-22 |
| April 2022 | £9.18 | 21-22 |
| April 2021 | £8.36 | 21-22 |
| April 2020 | £8.20 | 21-24 |
| April 2019 | £7.70 | 21-24 |
| April 2018 | £7.38 | 21-24 |
What Is the National Living Wage vs the National Minimum Wage?
The National Living Wage (NLW) is the statutory minimum hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over (as of April 2024). The National Minimum Wage (NMW) applies to younger workers aged 18-20, under 18s, and apprentices. Both are set by the UK Government each year, usually taking effect in April. All employers in the UK are legally required to pay at least the applicable rate.
It is important not to confuse the National Living Wage with the Real Living Wage, which is a separate, voluntary rate calculated by the Living Wage Foundation based on the actual cost of living. The Real Living Wage is higher than the NLW and is not legally required.
Who Qualifies for Which Rate?
The rate a worker is entitled to depends on their age and whether they are an apprentice:
- 21 and over: National Living Wage (the highest rate). From April 2024, this applies to all workers aged 21+. Previously, the threshold was 23+ (April 2021-2023) and 25+ (before April 2021).
- 18-20: National Minimum Wage (18-20 rate). This has always been a separate, lower rate.
- Under 18: National Minimum Wage (under 18 rate). Applies to workers who are above school leaving age but under 18.
- Apprentices: The apprentice rate applies to apprentices aged under 19, or those aged 19 or over who are in their first year of the apprenticeship. After the first year, the standard age-related rate applies.
What to Do If You Are Being Underpaid
If this calculator shows that your hourly rate is below the legal minimum, here is what you should do:
- Talk to your employer first. In many cases, underpayment is an administrative error rather than intentional. Raise it with your manager or payroll department.
- Check your payslip carefully. Make sure deductions (like pension contributions, tax, or student loan repayments) have not been confused with a lower base rate. The minimum wage applies to your gross hourly rate before deductions.
- Contact Acas. If your employer will not resolve the issue, you can call the Acas helpline (0300 123 1100) for free, confidential advice.
- Report it to HMRC. You can make a confidential complaint to HMRC's National Minimum Wage team online. HMRC can investigate and order your employer to pay arrears.
Employer Obligations and Penalties
Employers are legally required to pay at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, depending on the worker's age. Failure to do so can result in:
- An order to pay all arrears owed to the worker.
- A financial penalty of up to 200% of the total underpayment (capped at £20,000 per worker).
- Being publicly named on the Government's list of non-compliant employers.
- In serious cases, criminal prosecution.
Employers should use this checker to audit pay rates whenever rates change in April, when hiring staff who may cross age thresholds during the year, and when taking on apprentices. For more tools to help manage your team, try our pro-rata calculator or Bradford Factor calculator.
April 2026 Rate Changes
From April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over will rise from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour. The 18-20 rate increases from £10.00 to £10.85, the under-18 rate rises from £7.55 to £8.00, and the apprentice rate also increases to £8.00. Use our blog post on the 2026 minimum wage changes for a full breakdown of what this means for employers.
Frequently Asked Questions
From April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is 12.71 pounds per hour, up from 12.21 pounds in April 2025. This is the legal minimum that employers must pay. The rate is set annually by the UK Government based on recommendations from the Low Pay Commission.
The National Living Wage (NLW) is the highest statutory rate and applies to workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) refers to the lower rates for younger workers aged 18-20, those under 18, and apprentices. Both are legally enforceable. The NLW should not be confused with the Real Living Wage, which is a separate voluntary rate set by the Living Wage Foundation.
From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage for workers aged 18-20 is 10.85 pounds per hour, and for workers under 18 it is 8.00 pounds per hour. The under-18 rate applies to those above school leaving age but below 18. These rates increase each April, and employers must ensure they move workers to the correct rate when they reach a new age bracket.
Yes, apprentices are entitled to a minimum hourly rate. From April 2026, the apprentice rate is 8.00 pounds per hour. This applies to apprentices under 19 years old, or those aged 19 and over who are still in their first year of the apprenticeship. Once an apprentice is 19 or over and past their first year, they must be paid at least the standard rate for their age group.
First, raise it with your employer or payroll department as it may be an administrative error. If that does not resolve it, contact the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free advice. You can also make a confidential complaint to HMRC's National Minimum Wage team, who can investigate and order your employer to pay any arrears owed plus a financial penalty of up to 200% of the underpayment.