Updated October 2026
April 2026 rates — 12.07% holiday rule

Zero-Hours Contract Pay & Holiday Calculator UK 2026

Key takeaway: Zero-hours workers must receive at least statutory minimum wage for every hour worked (£12.71/hr from April 2026 for 21+). Holiday pay accrues at 12.07% on top of all earnings (£1.53/hr on NLW). Your employer cannot enforce exclusivity clauses preventing you from working elsewhere.

Calculate your annual earnings, statutory 12.07% holiday accrual, and minimum wage compliance on a UK zero-hours contract.

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
✓ Your average hourly pay meets the statutory minimum wage.

Your Average Hourly Rate

£12.71/hr

Avg Weekly Hours

24.0 hrs

Avg Weekly Pay

£305.04

Legal Min / hr

£12.71/hr

Accrued Holiday

2.9 hrs/wk

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Statutory 12.07% Holiday Accrual

You accrue 12.07% paid holiday for every hour worked (approx £36.82 paid leave per week).

Frequently Asked Questions

Your holiday entitlement is calculated as 12.07% of your earnings. This is because 5.6 weeks' holiday is 12.07% of the remaining 46.4 working weeks in a year.
Yes. Every hour you work on a zero-hours contract must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for your age band — the same as any other worker.
Yes. A zero-hours contract means your employer is not obliged to offer you work, and you are generally not obliged to accept it. However, exclusive zero-hours clauses (banning you from working elsewhere) were banned in 2015.
You may qualify for Statutory Sick Pay if you earn at least £123.25/week on average and meet the other qualifying conditions. Your employer cannot withhold SSP just because you are on a zero-hours contract.
Yes. All workers — including zero-hours workers — have the right to a written statement of their main employment terms within 2 months of starting work.

About this guide

This calculator is maintained by UKMinimumWage.co.uk using published GOV.UK rates for 2026/27. Last updated October 2026. This site is not HMRC-endorsed.