Build the full vesting schedule for an equity grant. Enter the shares, start date, total period, cliff and vesting frequency (or a back-loaded yearly split) to see every vesting date, how many shares have vested by any date, what is still unvested and when you are fully vested.
Last updated:
Grant
shares
Stock options, RSUs or restricted founder stock.
Usually your start date or the grant date.
months
months
0 = no cliff.
One number per year, totalling 100 (e.g. 5/15/40/40 or 10/20/30/40).
Check a date
Today, or a planned leave or termination date.
$
Adds the value of vested shares.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Vesting Schedule Calculator
Enter the grant size and the vesting start date.
Set the total period and cliff in months, e.g. 48 and 12 for the common 4-year plan with a 1-year cliff.
Choose how often shares vest after the cliff, or pick a custom yearly split for back-loaded plans.
Pick the date to check (today by default) and an optional share price.
Read the vested shares, next vesting date and the full schedule, then download it as CSV.
How vesting is calculated
For an even schedule the share of the grant vested after m months is m ÷ total months. Vesting only happens on vesting dates: nothing before the cliff, then one catch-up tranche on the cliff date, then a tranche every month, quarter or year.
Per-tranche shares = grant × frequency months ÷ total months
Cliff tranche = grant × cliff months ÷ total months
Vested on a date = cumulative shares at the last vesting date on or before it (rounded down to whole shares)
For a custom yearly schedule each year's percentage is spread evenly over the vesting dates inside that year. Example: 48,000 shares, 4 years, 1-year cliff, monthly: 12,000 vest on the cliff date and 1,000 every month after that for 36 months.
Common vesting schedules
Schedule
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Where you see it
4 years, 1-year cliff, monthly
25% at month 12
25% (monthly)
25%
25%
Startup options and RSUs, founder stock
4 years, 1-year cliff, quarterly
25% at month 12
25% (quarterly)
25%
25%
Public company RSUs
Back-loaded 5/15/40/40
5%
15%
40%
40%
Some large tech employers
Back-loaded 10/20/30/40
10%
20%
30%
40%
Some tech employers
3 years, no cliff, monthly
33.3%
33.3%
33.3%
–
Refresh grants, advisors
Annual 25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
Yearly-vesting plans
Things to check in your grant agreement
Vesting commencement date: may be your start date rather than the board approval date.
Acceleration: single- or double-trigger acceleration can vest some or all unvested shares on an acquisition.
Leaves of absence: some plans pause vesting during long unpaid leave.
Post-termination exercise window: for options, vested shares often must be exercised within 90 days of leaving.
Frequently asked questions
How does a 4-year vesting schedule with a 1-year cliff work?
Nothing vests during the first 12 months. On the 1-year anniversary 25% vests at once (the cliff), and the remaining 75% vests in equal monthly installments of 1/48 of the grant over the next 36 months, so you are fully vested after 48 months.
What happens if I leave before the cliff?
Under a standard cliff you leave with no vested shares, because the first tranche only vests on the cliff date. After the cliff you keep what has vested up to your last day; unvested shares normally return to the company.
What is back-loaded vesting?
A schedule where more equity vests in later years, such as 5% in year 1, 15% in year 2 and 40% in each of years 3 and 4. Choose "Custom % per year" and enter the yearly percentages; they must total 100%.
How are fractional shares handled?
Companies vest whole shares. The calculator rounds the cumulative number of vested shares down at each date and puts the remainder in the last tranche, so the total always equals the grant. Your plan may round differently by a share or two.
Is the vesting date the same day each month?
Usually the same day of the month as the vesting start date. When a month is shorter (for example a start on the 31st), the calculator uses the last day of that month.
Does vesting mean I owe tax?
It depends on the equity type. RSUs are taxed as ordinary income when they vest; stock options are generally taxed when you exercise or sell; restricted stock may be taxed at vesting unless an 83(b) election was filed. See the RSU tax calculator for vest-date withholding.
Can I use this for founder shares?
Yes. Founder restricted stock commonly uses the same 4-year, 1-year cliff structure. Enter the total founder shares and the vesting start date from your stock purchase agreement.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.