Equity Vesting Schedule Date Calculator

Track your equity vesting progress. See vested shares, upcoming vesting dates, and remaining unvested shares.

Cliff: nothing until cliff month | After cliff: (Shares × Periods Elapsed / Total Periods) | Remaining = Total - Vested
Example: 10,000 shares, 4-year vesting, 12-month cliff, monthly. At 18 months: Cliff passed at 12 mo, 6 periods after. Vested: (10,000/48) × 6 = 1,250 shares. 12.5% vested. Remaining: 8,750.

What is equity vesting?

Vesting is earning ownership of employer-contributed equity over time. You earn (vest) shares gradually, typically over 4 years with a 1-year cliff. Until vested, company can repurchase unvested shares at cost or strike price if you leave. Vesting incentivizes retention.

What is a cliff in vesting?

A cliff is a waiting period before any equity vests. Common: 1-year cliff. At your 1-year anniversary, you receive all shares that would have vested during year 1 (typically 25% for 4-year vesting). If you leave before cliff, you receive nothing. This prevents "golden handcuffs" of partial vesting.

What vesting schedules are common?

Standard: 4-year vesting with 1-year cliff (25% at year 1, then monthly/quarterly). Other: 3-year cliff (gradual), 5-year vesting, immediate vesting (rare, for key hires). Some include performance-based vesting (accelerated for hitting goals). Milestone-based is common in startups.

What happens when equity vests?

At each vesting event, you gain ownership of shares. For options, you can exercise (buy) at strike price. For RSUs, shares are delivered. Tax implications: ISO exercises trigger AMT, NSOs are taxed as income at exercise. Plan for tax liability before vesting dates.

Can vesting be accelerated?

Yes, through: single-trigger (change of control accelerates), double-trigger (change of control + termination), performance-based (accelerates on achievements), or discretionary (board approval). Negotiate acceleration in offer letter - standard is single or double trigger.