Token Vesting Calculator

Live unlock math for cliff + linear schedules - optional TGE slice, months-elapsed scrubber, and an unlock ladder so float timing is readable before you open the explorer.

Continuous linear after cliff is assumed. Monthly/quarterly tranche contracts can differ - match the vesting address, not only the whitepaper chart.

By Ahmet C. Toplutaş·Site owner & editor · Blockchain & DeFi tools

Last updated May 21, 2026 · Reviewed May 21, 2026 · Planning estimates only - not tax, medical, or investment advice

Unlocked is a schedule event, not a sale

Vesting answers one question: how many tokens has the schedule released by this month? It does not answer whether the market can absorb a sale, what tax lot applies, or whether a transfer lock still sits on top of the vesting wallet.

This page models a common planning shape - optional TGE unlock, then a cliff, then continuous linear unlock of the rest - and turns it into a live unlock ladder plus a months- elapsed scrubber. Use it to read a term sheet or whitepaper chart before you open the explorer.

Decision framing: “When does float become unlocked on this math?” - not “what will the token be worth on unlock day.”

The cliff holds the linear portion at zero

During the cliff, only a TGE slice (if any) is unlocked. The remaining allocation stays at zero until the cliff month count ends. After that, linear vesting starts on the leftover pool over the “vest after cliff” months.

Team deals often use 12 months cliff + 36 months linear (four years total from start). Advisors are frequently shorter. Scrub months since start across the cliff boundary to see the jump from “TGE only” to “linear in progress.”

Unlock ladder = milestone calendar

The ladder lists when this math hits TGE, cliff end, and 25% / 50% / 75% / 100% of the allocation. It is a supply calendar, not a price forecast. Compare ladder sizes to typical daily volume before treating an unlock as “small.”

Discrete monthly or quarterly tranche contracts will stair-step instead of drawing a smooth line between ladder points - match the contract cadence.

TGE unlock vs pure cliff schedules

A TGE percent unlocks at month 0 and sits outside the cliff. Seed and private rounds often use 5–20% at TGE, then cliff + linear on the rest. Classic employee grants often set TGE to 0 so nothing moves until the cliff ends.

Do not mix “% of total supply” charts with “% of this wallet’s allocation” without checking the denominator. This panel is one allocation - team wallet, advisor grant, or seed ticket - not the whole fully diluted pie.

Worked scenarios

A · Team 4y. 1.2M tokens, 12m cliff, 36m linear, no TGE. At month 18 → halfway through the linear window after cliff → ~200k unlocked (about 16.7%). Tap Team 4y and scrub to month 12 to see the cliff exit.

B · Seed + TGE. 500k with 10% TGE (50k at month 0), 6m cliff, 24m linear on the rest. At month 12 → TGE + 6/24 of the remaining 450k → 162.5k unlocked. Use Seed + TGE.

C · Community drip. No cliff, 12m linear on 2M. At month 4 → ~666.7k unlocked. Fast schedules front-load float - check volume before celebrating “aligned incentives.”

Formula

immediate = total × TGE%If elapsed < cliff: vested = immediate. Else vested = immediate + (total − immediate) × min(1, (elapsed − cliff) / vestAfter).

Example: 1,000,000 total, 0% TGE, 12m cliff, 36m vest, elapsed 18 → vested = 1,000,000 × (6/36) = 166,666.67.

When not to trust this number alone

The contract uses monthly/quarterly cliffs with lump unlocks, cliffs that release a tranche at cliff end, or revocable employee grants - re-derive from the ABI or docs.
You need whole-tokenomics float (team + investors + community) - start from a token distribution view, then vest each bucket.
You are estimating sale P/L after unlock - use crypto profit/loss on the tokens you actually sell, not on the full unlocked balance.

How to use this panel

Pick a schedule preset close to the deal, or type allocation / cliff / vest months.
Set TGE % only if the round unlocks a slice at generation; otherwise leave 0.
Scrub months since start to walk the cliff and the linear window.
Read the unlock ladder for 25/50/75/100% calendar points.
Confirm cadence on-chain before you treat continuous linear as gospel.

FAQ

Does “vested” mean I can sell without friction?

No. Vesting unlocks tokens from the contract schedule. Selling still needs a liquid market, may hit cliffs on transfer restrictions, and can create tax events. Treat the panel as unlock math, not a dump plan.

What is a cliff?

A cliff is the initial lock where the linear (or tranche) portion stays at zero. After the cliff month count, that remaining allocation starts unlocking on the schedule. Tokens already unlocked at TGE (if any) sit outside the cliff.

How does a TGE unlock interact with the cliff?

A TGE percent unlocks at month 0. The rest of the allocation waits through the cliff, then unlocks linearly over the “vesting after cliff” months. Set TGE to 0 for classic team schedules with nothing until the cliff ends.

Is this the same as my on-chain vesting contract?

Only if the contract is continuous linear after cliff (plus an optional TGE). Many deals use monthly/quarterly tranches, cliffs that release a lump, or custom cliffs. Match the contract docs or explorer before you rely on a number.

Why do large unlocks move price?

Unlock calendars add sellable float. If unlock size is large versus daily volume, even holders who do not want to sell can face volatility from those who do. Pair schedule math with float and volume - not with FDV alone.

Can vesting schedules change after launch?

Only if governance or the contract allows it. Immutable vesting contracts cannot be quietly rewritten; upgradeable or multisig-controlled schedules can. Read the vesting address and admin keys, not just the whitepaper chart.

Sources

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Unlocked is a schedule event, not a sale

Decision framing: “When does float become unlocked on this math?” - not “what will the token be worth on unlock day.”

The cliff holds the linear portion at zero

Unlock ladder = milestone calendar

Discrete monthly or quarterly tranche contracts will stair-step instead of drawing a smooth line between ladder points - match the contract cadence.

TGE unlock vs pure cliff schedules

Worked scenarios

B · Seed + TGE. 500k with 10% TGE (50k at month 0), 6m cliff, 24m linear on the rest. At month 12 → TGE + 6/24 of the remaining 450k → 162.5k unlocked. Use Seed + TGE.

C · Community drip. No cliff, 12m linear on 2M. At month 4 → ~666.7k unlocked. Fast schedules front-load float - check volume before celebrating “aligned incentives.”

When not to trust this number alone

The contract uses monthly/quarterly cliffs with lump unlocks, cliffs that release a tranche at cliff end, or revocable employee grants - re-derive from the ABI or docs.
You need whole-tokenomics float (team + investors + community) - start from a token distribution view, then vest each bucket.
You are estimating sale P/L after unlock - use crypto profit/loss on the tokens you actually sell, not on the full unlocked balance.

How to use this panel

Pick a schedule preset close to the deal, or type allocation / cliff / vest months.
Set TGE % only if the round unlocks a slice at generation; otherwise leave 0.
Scrub months since start to walk the cliff and the linear window.
Read the unlock ladder for 25/50/75/100% calendar points.
Confirm cadence on-chain before you treat continuous linear as gospel.

FAQ

Does “vested” mean I can sell without friction?

What is a cliff?

How does a TGE unlock interact with the cliff?

Is this the same as my on-chain vesting contract?

Why do large unlocks move price?

Can vesting schedules change after launch?

Milestone

Month

Tokens

Cliff ends

25% unlocked

300,000

50% unlocked

600,000

75% unlocked

900,000

100% unlocked

1,200,000

Token Vesting Calculator

Unlocked is a schedule event, not a sale

The cliff holds the linear portion at zero

Unlock ladder = milestone calendar

TGE unlock vs pure cliff schedules

Worked scenarios

Formula

When not to trust this number alone

How to use this panel

FAQ

Does “vested” mean I can sell without friction?

What is a cliff?

How does a TGE unlock interact with the cliff?

Is this the same as my on-chain vesting contract?

Why do large unlocks move price?

Can vesting schedules change after launch?

Sources

Embed this calculator

Unlocked is a schedule event, not a sale

The cliff holds the linear portion at zero

Unlock ladder = milestone calendar

TGE unlock vs pure cliff schedules

Worked scenarios

Formula

When not to trust this number alone

How to use this panel

FAQ

Does “vested” mean I can sell without friction?

What is a cliff?

How does a TGE unlock interact with the cliff?

Is this the same as my on-chain vesting contract?

Why do large unlocks move price?

Can vesting schedules change after launch?

Sources

What this number means

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