Isn't it dishonest not to say my minimum?

No. You're not lying; you're choosing not to share private information, just as an employer doesn't usually share the top of their budget. Giving a fair, researched range is honest.

What if the job post already shows the salary?

Then you know their range. You can say "The posted range works for me" and, if your experience justifies it, that you'd expect to be toward the top.

What if they say they can't continue without a number?

Give a range, with a bottom figure you'd genuinely be happy with. That keeps you in the process without naming your floor.

Can I ask for more after I've given a number?

You can, but it's harder. Base any later request on new information, such as more responsibility than you understood or the full benefits package.

Should I mention my current salary?

Not unless you choose to. The page on what is your current salary explains how to redirect, and whether you have to answer can depend on local rules.

What is the lowest salary you would accept? How to answer it

Why naming your minimum is a bad idea

"What's the lowest you'd accept?" is different from "What are your salary expectations?" It asks for your floor, not your target. If you answer with a number, three things tend to happen:

The offer moves toward that number. Employers working to a budget have little reason to offer more than you said you'd accept.
You lose your room to negotiate. Asking for more later contradicts what you said.
You undersell yourself early, often before you know the full job, the hours or the benefits.

The question isn't unfair. Employers want to know if you're affordable. But you can answer that concern without giving away your minimum.

Know your floor, but keep it private

Before any interview, work out three numbers for yourself:

Number	What it is	Who knows it
Floor	The lowest you'd accept, after rent, bills and the cost of changing jobs	Only you
Target	What you'd be happy with, based on research	You, and it shapes your range
Ambitious	The top of a fair range for your experience	You, and it's the top of your range

Research the market rate for the role in your area using job ads that show pay, salary surveys in your field, and people you know in similar roles. Your spoken range should run from roughly your target to your ambitious number, so that even the bottom of it is above your floor.

Lines that keep negotiation open

Pick one that sounds like you. Each answers the "are you affordable?" worry without giving away your minimum.

Redirect to a range: "Rather than a minimum, I'd say roles like this in the area tend to pay between X and Y, and I'm looking within that range depending on the full package."
Ask for their range: "Could you share the range you've budgeted for this role? I'm sure we can find something that works if we're in the same area."
Focus on the whole package: "It depends on the full package, including bonus, pension, leave and flexibility. I'd want to see the whole offer before settling on a number."
Defer politely: "I'd like to learn more about the role before I name a figure. Can we come back to salary once we both know it's a fit?"
Signal flexibility without a floor: "I'm flexible for the right role. What matters most is that the offer reflects the job's responsibilities."

If they keep pushing

Some interviewers or recruiters will ask again: "I understand, but what's the lowest you'd go?" You have two reasonable choices.

Hold the line once more, kindly. "I'd rather not anchor on a minimum. If your range is around X to Y, we're definitely in the same area."
Give a range with a high bottom. If you must name a number, give a range whose lowest figure is comfortably above your real floor. "I'd be looking at somewhere between X and Y."

Never invent a competing offer to strengthen your position. If you do have one, see are you interviewing with other companies for how to mention it.

Example answers

These are examples of the approach. Replace the placeholders with your researched figures.

Early in the process (phone screen)

"I don't have a minimum figure in mind yet, because I'd like to understand the role better. From my research, similar roles here pay roughly X to Y. Is that in line with what you've budgeted?"

When they've already shared a range

"Your range of X to Y works for me. With my experience in [the main skill the job needs], I'd expect to be toward the upper part of it, but I'm happy to discuss the full package."

When the role pays less than you're used to

"I know this role may be below my last salary, and I've thought about that. I'm open to it because of [your real reason]. I'd like to see the full offer before settling on figures, but I don't expect salary to be the thing that stops us."

For a graduate or entry-level role

"As a graduate, I've looked at starting salaries for similar roles, which tend to be around X to Y. I'm flexible within that range, and the training and growth here matter a lot to me too."

Mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Why it hurts	Instead
Naming your real floor	The offer tends to land there	Give a researched range above it
"Anything is fine"	Signals you'll accept a low offer	Show you know the market rate
A single exact number	Leaves no room to negotiate	Give a range
Refusing to discuss pay at all	Can frustrate a recruiter trying to help	Redirect, don't stonewall
Inventing a competing offer	Can backfire badly if checked	Only mention real offers
Apologising for your range	Undermines it	State it calmly

Say it calmly

Salary conversations make most people speed up, hedge and laugh nervously. A range said in a steady voice sounds researched; the same range said with "um, maybe, I don't know, around…" sounds negotiable downward. Practise your chosen line out loud until it sounds relaxed. The salary expectations page covers how to build your range in more detail.