RSU Vesting Calculator

Vesting schedules determine when you actually receive your RSUs. Understanding the timing is crucial for financial planning, tax preparation, and career decisions.

Common Schedule Presets

Click to apply to the calculator below

Enter these percentages manually in the calculator's custom vesting schedule fields. To model a custom schedule, adjust the percentage inputs directly.

Total Compensation Calculator

Display All Values In

Salary

Annual Base Salary

Variable Compensation

Achievement Level100%

0%100%200%

Effective amount: $0

RSUs

Stock Price

Year 1 Grant

Number of RSUs

Vesting Schedule (%)

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Total: 100%

Stock Options

Number of Options

Strike Price

Vesting Period (Years)

Year 1 Total Compensation

Year 2 Total Compensation

Year 3 Total Compensation

Year 4 Total Compensation

Year 5 Total Compensation

Common Vesting Schedules

Standard 4-Year with 1-Year Cliff

The most common schedule: 25% vests after 12 months, then monthly or quarterly over the next 3 years.

Year 1: 25% | Year 2: 25% | Year 3: 25% | Year 4: 25%

Front-Loaded (38/32/20/10)

More equity in early years, less later. Used by companies with front-loaded schedules to be competitive on early-year comp. Benefits employees who may leave before Year 4.

Year 1: 38% | Year 2: 32% | Year 3: 20% | Year 4: 10%

Back-Loaded (5/15/40/40)

Less equity in early years, most in Years 3–4. Designed to strongly encourage retention. Employees who leave before Year 3 receive a small fraction of the full grant value.

Year 1: 5% | Year 2: 15% | Year 3: 40% | Year 4: 40%

Want a deeper explanation of each schedule type — including side-by-side dollar comparisons? See the Vesting Schedules Explained guide.

Key Terms

Cliff: The minimum time you must work before any shares vest (typically 1 year).
Vesting Date: The specific date when RSU shares become yours.
Grant Date: When the RSUs were awarded to you (vesting clock starts here).