Equity Vesting Calculator
Model your RSU or stock grant vesting schedule. See vested vs unvested shares, timeline, and 4-year projection. Supports cliff vesting, early termination, and acceleration.
Common Vesting Schedules
Standard (most common)
4 years, 1-year cliff, quarterly vesting
25% at cliff, then ~6.25% each quarter
Monthly vesting
4 years, 1-year cliff, monthly vesting
~2.08% per month after cliff
No cliff
4 years, 0 cliff, quarterly vesting
~6.25% every quarter from day 1
Summary
Vested to date
0 shares
Unvested
10,000 shares
Timeline
Vesting schedule over time
4-Year Projection
Quarterly vesting milestones
| Date | Vested | Unvested |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | 0 | 10,000 |
| May 2026 | 0 | 10,000 |
| Aug 2026 | 0 | 10,000 |
| Nov 2026 | 0 | 10,000 |
| Feb 2027 | 2,500 | 7,500 |
| May 2027 | 3,125 | 6,875 |
| Aug 2027 | 3,750 | 6,250 |
| Nov 2027 | 4,375 | 5,625 |
| Feb 2028 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| May 2028 | 5,625 | 4,375 |
| Aug 2028 | 6,250 | 3,750 |
| Nov 2028 | 6,875 | 3,125 |
| Feb 2029 | 7,500 | 2,500 |
| May 2029 | 8,125 | 1,875 |
| Aug 2029 | 8,750 | 1,250 |
| Nov 2029 | 9,375 | 625 |
| Feb 2030 | 10,000 | 0 |
Understanding Equity Vesting
Cliff vesting explained
A vesting cliff means no shares vest until a specific date (often 1 year from grant). At the cliff, a lump sum vests—typically 25% for a 4-year grant—then the rest vests periodically (monthly or quarterly). If you leave before the cliff, you usually forfeit the entire grant. The cliff aligns incentives: employers want to retain employees for at least one year.
RSUs vs stock options
RSUs (restricted stock units) are company shares delivered at vest. You pay income tax on the fair market value at vest. Stock options give you the right to buy shares at a strike price. Options can be ISO (tax-advantaged) or NSO (taxed as income on exercise). This calculator models vesting schedules; for RSU tax at vest, use our RSU Tax Calculator or Bonus Tax Calculator.
Acceleration: single vs double trigger
Single trigger acceleration means unvested shares vest when the company is acquired (change of control). Double trigger requires both a change of control and your involuntary termination (e.g. layoff) within a set period. Double trigger is more common at startups; single trigger is employee-friendly but less common. Check your grant agreement to see which applies.
Use the Early termination and Acceleration options in the calculator to simulate what you'd keep if you left at a certain time or if acceleration applied.
| Schedule type | Cliff | Frequency | At cliff | After cliff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (most common) | 1 year | Quarterly | 25% vests | ~6.25% every quarter |
| Monthly vesting | 1 year | Monthly | 25% vests | ~2.08% per month |
| No cliff | 0 | Quarterly | N/A | ~6.25% every quarter from day 1 |
| 2-year cliff | 2 years | Quarterly | 50% vests | ~4.17% every quarter |
| Period | Vested this period | Cumulative vested | Unvested remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (pre-cliff) | 0 | 0 | 10,000 |
| At 1-year cliff | 2,500 | 2,500 | 7,500 |
| End of Year 2 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| End of Year 3 | 2,500 | 7,500 | 2,500 |
| End of Year 4 | 2,500 | 10,000 | 0 |
| Factor | RSUs | ISOs | NSOs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vesting | Typically 4yr, 1yr cliff | Typically 4yr, 1yr cliff | Typically 4yr, 1yr cliff |
| Tax at vest | Yes (ordinary income) | No (no taxable event) | No |
| Tax at exercise | N/A (already vested as shares) | AMT possible | Ordinary income on spread |
| Strike price | N/A | Yes | Yes |
| Calculator use | Vesting schedule + RSU Tax | Vesting schedule only | Vesting schedule only |
Cliff period
Leave before the cliff = 0 shares. A 1-year cliff is standard; 2-year cliffs (common at some startups) mean 50% vests at cliff. Use the calculator to see how much you'd keep if you left at different dates.
Vesting frequency
Quarterly is most common; monthly vests more frequently after the cliff. No cliff + monthly = earliest possible vesting. Frequency affects how much you have if you leave mid-year.
Acceleration (acquisition)
Single trigger: all unvested vests at change of control. Double trigger: vests only if you're also terminated (e.g. layoff). Use the Acceleration dropdown to simulate.
Share price
Dollar value = shares × price. Enter share price in the calculator to see dollar values. Price can change; this calculator uses your input for projections.
Frequently asked questions
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