Someone trying to calculate exactly what's vested on a specific date — schedule mechanics, not the basic definition.
How Does a Vesting Schedule Actually Work?
Not the definition — the actual math behind a standard 4-year schedule with a 1-year cliff.
See exactly how much is vested as of today, based on your real grant date.
The most common startup vesting schedule is four years with a one-year cliff — but "cliff" and "monthly vesting" combine in a specific way that trips people up.
The Cliff: Nothing Vests, Then a Quarter Vests All at Once
For the first 12 months, you vest nothing — this is the cliff. On your one-year anniversary, 25% of your total grant vests all at once, as if the whole first year had been vesting monthly and it just becomes visible on that date.
After the Cliff: Steady Monthly (or Quarterly) Vesting
From month 13 onward, the remaining 75% typically vests in equal monthly installments over the next 36 months — roughly 2.08% of your total grant per month — until you reach 100% at the four-year mark.
Quick Reference: A 40,000-Share Grant Example
| Time Since Grant | Vested Shares | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Month 6 | 0 | Still inside the cliff |
| Month 12 | 10,000 (25%) | Cliff vests all at once |
| Month 24 | 20,000 (50%) | Monthly vesting since the cliff |
| Month 48 | 40,000 (100%) | Fully vested |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my grant is vested if I leave exactly at the 1-year cliff?
Exactly 25% of your total grant vests on the cliff date itself — leaving even one day before that date typically means 0% is vested, since nothing vests incrementally during the cliff period.
- The cliff date is a hard line, not an average
- Leaving one day early can mean forfeiting the entire first year
- Confirm your exact cliff date in writing, not just "around one year"
Does vesting happen daily, monthly, or all at once after the cliff?
Most schedules vest monthly after the cliff, in equal installments over the remaining period. Some companies use quarterly vesting instead — check your specific agreement, since this affects your vested total on any given date.
- Monthly vesting is more common than quarterly at most startups
- Your vested amount can differ meaningfully depending on which method applies
- Ask for the specific vesting frequency, not just the total schedule length
The Lovie Advantage
Calculating vested shares by hand from a grant date and a generic "4-year, 1-year cliff" description is where most disputes start. Internal Link: Lovie Cap Table Management calculates your exact vested amount automatically, using your real grant date and schedule — not an approximation.
Just need the plain-English definition first? See Internal Link: What Does "Vested" Mean for My Stock. For general terminology, SEC EDGAR's full-text filing search can show how vesting terms are disclosed in real filings.
Calculate Your Vested Amount
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