Use the calculator
How this calculator works
Job adverts and contracts quote pay in different ways. Some give an hourly rate, others give a yearly salary, and the two are hard to compare in your head. This calculator does the conversion both ways using a simple formula:
- Annual pay = hourly rate × hours per week × paid weeks per year
- Hourly rate = annual pay ÷ (hours per week × paid weeks per year)
It also shows the monthly figure (annual pay divided by 12) and the weekly figure. All results are before tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and student loan repayments. To see what you would actually receive, put the annual figure into the take-home pay calculator.
The default of 52 paid weeks suits most employees on a salary, because paid holiday is part of the year. If you are only paid for the weeks you work, for example on a zero-hours or term-time contract, enter the number of weeks you are actually paid for. If the hourly rate works out below the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over, the calculator shows a note. It does not check the lower rates for younger workers and apprentices.
Worked examples
These figures come from running this calculator and were checked by hand.
Example 1: National Living Wage, full time
£12.71 an hour × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks = £24,784.50 a year. That is £2,065.38 a month or £476.63 a week before deductions.
Example 2: £30,000 salary to hourly
£30,000 ÷ (37.5 × 52 = 1,950 hours) = £15.38 an hour, £2,500 a month and £576.92 a week.
Example 3: £15 an hour, 20 hours a week
£15 × 20 × 52 = £15,600 a year, or £1,300 a month and £300 a week.
Minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026
| Category | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Aged 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 |
| Aged 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 |
| Apprentice (under 19, or in the first year) | £8.00 |
Common working patterns
| Hours per week | Paid hours per year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|
| 16 | 832 |
| 20 | 1,040 |
| 30 | 1,560 |
| 35 | 1,820 |
| 37.5 | 1,950 |
| 40 | 2,080 |
Assumptions and what this calculator does not cover
- Gross pay only: results do not include Income Tax, National Insurance, pension contributions or student loans.
- Overtime and extras: overtime, shift premiums, bonuses, commission and tips are not included unless you build them into the hourly rate.
- Unpaid breaks: if your contract has unpaid breaks, use your paid hours only.
- Weeks in a year: a year is slightly more than 52 weeks, so a 52-week figure can differ by a few pounds from what your employer quotes.
- Minimum wage checks: the note uses the rate for workers aged 21 and over. Whether you are paid at least the minimum wage depends on your age, how your pay is calculated and any deductions. Use the official GOV.UK calculator if you think you are underpaid.
Holiday and part-time hours
Most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year. For someone working five days a week, that is 28 days, which can include bank holidays. When you convert an hourly rate for a salaried job, include paid holiday in the 52 weeks. If you are paid only for hours worked and get holiday pay on top, the 52-week figure still gives a fair comparison.
If you work fewer hours than a full-time colleague, the pro-rata salary calculator shows what a full-time salary is worth for your hours.
Comparing job offers
An hourly rate can look higher or lower than it really is once hours change. When you compare jobs, use the same paid hours and weeks for each and look at the whole package: pension contributions from the employer, extra holiday, sick pay and travel costs can all make a real difference. Then check monthly take-home pay before you plan your budget.
Frequently asked questions
How many working hours are there in a year?
A full-time job of 37.5 hours a week over 52 paid weeks is 1,950 hours. At 40 hours a week it is 2,080 hours.
What is the National Living Wage in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 it is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over.
Should I use 52 weeks if I get paid holiday?
Yes. Paid holiday is part of your pay, so 52 paid weeks gives the right yearly figure for most salaried employees.
Is the monthly figure what I will be paid?
No. It is gross monthly pay. Your payslip will show less after tax, National Insurance and other deductions.
Sources
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
- GOV.UK: Holiday entitlement
- GOV.UK: Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances
- GOV.UK: National Insurance rates and categories
Rates for tax year 2026/27, last reviewed October 2026.
Results are estimates for planning, not financial or tax advice. See our terms and methodology.