Vesting schedule calculator
Standard startup equity vests over four years with a one-year cliff: nothing vests until the first anniversary, then it vests monthly. This tool shows exactly how much of a grant has vested as of any date: enter the total shares or percentage, the grant date, the vesting length and the cliff, and see vested versus unvested, plus the monthly amount. Useful for founders setting terms and for employees checking an offer.
Standard startup vesting is four years with a one-year cliff, then monthly. Always check the specific grant terms.
How it works
- 1Enter the total grant, the vesting period and the cliff length.
- 2Set the grant date and the date you want to check.
- 3See vested and unvested amounts plus the per-month vesting.
Frequently asked questions
How does a one-year cliff work?+
With a one-year cliff, nothing vests for the first twelve months. On the first anniversary, the first year's worth vests all at once, then the remainder vests in equal monthly increments. If someone leaves before the cliff, they get nothing.
What is a standard vesting schedule?+
Four-year vesting with a one-year cliff and then monthly vesting is the most common arrangement for both founders and employees at startups. Some companies use different lengths, so always check the specific grant.
Does founder equity vest?+
Increasingly yes. Investors often require founder vesting so that a co-founder who leaves early does not keep a large unearned stake. Founder vesting protects the team and the cap table.
Share offer letters and equity docs securely with Plox
Plox is the secure way to share, track and run deals on the documents these tools help you create. Free to start.