About the Token Vesting Calculator
This token vesting calculator turns an allocation's vesting terms into a month-by-month unlock schedule. Enter the total tokens, the share released at the token generation event (TGE), the cliff length and the linear vesting period, and it shows how many tokens are unlocked and still locked at any month, what they are worth at a price you choose, and when the allocation is fully vested.
It is useful for team members and advisors reading a grant letter, investors checking a SAFT or private-round allocation, and traders estimating supply hitting the market from upcoming unlocks. You can model the two common cliff conventions: linear vesting that starts only after the cliff, or a vesting period that includes the cliff, where everything accrued during the cliff unlocks in one lump when it ends.
Unlocks are modeled monthly from TGE. Real contracts may release per block, per day or per quarter, but the cumulative totals at each month end match a monthly model closely.
With the default inputs, the unlocked tokens at that month is 325,000 tokens. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the token vesting calculator
- 1Enter the total tokens in the allocation.
- 2Enter the percentage released at TGE, the cliff and the vesting period.
- 3Pick whether linear vesting starts after the cliff or includes it.
- 4Choose a month to check and a token price to value the unlocked amount.
- 5Scan the schedule table for each month's release and cumulative total.
Formula and method
The TGE share (T × t) unlocks immediately. The remainder R = T − T·t vests linearly over V months. With the "starts after the cliff" convention nothing more unlocks until the cliff ends, then R ÷ V unlocks each month, so the allocation is fully vested at month c + V.
With the "vesting includes the cliff" convention (common in employee grants), tokens accrue from TGE but are held back until the cliff; at month c everything accrued so far (R × c ÷ V) unlocks at once, then R ÷ V per month until month V.
- T
- Total allocation
- t
- Share unlocked at TGE
- R
- Tokens subject to vesting (T − T·t)
- c
- Cliff length in months
- V
- Linear vesting period in months
- m
- Months since TGE
Worked examples
1M tokens: 10% TGE, 6-month cliff, 24-month linear after
100,000 tokens unlock at TGE and the other 900,000 vest at 37,500 per month starting after the 6-month cliff. By month 12 six payments have vested (225,000), so 325,000 tokens (32.5%) are unlocked — $162,500 at $0.50. Everything is unlocked at month 30.
Same grant, vesting period includes the cliff
Here the 24 months run from TGE. At the 6-month cliff, 6 months of accrued vesting (225,000 tokens) unlock at once; by month 12 half of the 900,000 has vested, so 550,000 are unlocked, and the grant completes at month 24.
Advisor grant: 50,000 tokens, 1-year cliff, 3-year vest
With nothing at TGE and linear vesting after a 12-month cliff, 1,388.89 tokens unlock per month from month 13. At month 30 eighteen months have vested — 25,000 tokens worth $50,000 at $2.
Frequently asked questions
What is a token vesting cliff?+
A cliff is an initial period during which no vested tokens are released. Depending on the contract, vesting either starts only when the cliff ends, or accrues during it and unlocks in one lump at the cliff date.
What does TGE unlock mean?+
TGE stands for token generation event — usually the launch or listing date. A TGE unlock is the percentage of an allocation that is released immediately, before any cliff or linear vesting applies.
What is linear vesting?+
Linear vesting releases an equal amount of tokens each period (per month here, sometimes per day or per block) until the whole allocation is unlocked. A 900,000-token allocation vesting over 24 months releases 37,500 per month.
Why do token unlocks matter for price?+
Unlocks increase the circulating supply. Large cliff unlocks for investors or teams can add selling pressure, so traders track unlock calendars. Whether price falls depends on demand and whether holders actually sell.
Are vested tokens taxable?+
In many countries, tokens received as compensation are taxed as income when you gain control of them — often at vesting or unlock — valued at the market price then. Later sales may also create capital gains. Rules vary, so check local guidance.