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Startup Equity Calculator: What Are Your Stock Options Worth?

Estimate what your startup stock options could be worth at exit. Enter shares, strike price, fully diluted shares and an exit valuation.

Pre-tax value at exit
$970,000
Your ownership
0.1000%
Price per share at exit
$50.00
Cost to exercise
$30,000
Per year over 4-year vest
$242,500
Startup Equity Calculator

How option value is estimated

  • Ownership = your shares ÷ fully diluted shares
  • Price per share at exit = exit valuation ÷ fully diluted shares
  • Pre-tax value = shares × (exit price − strike price)
  • Cost to exercise = shares × strike price

What this leaves out

Real outcomes are usually lower than this simple model. Future funding rounds dilute you, preferred stock gets paid first in many exits, and options carry taxes when you exercise or sell. Ask the company for the fully diluted share count, the latest preferred price and the 409A strike price.

FAQ

How do I know how many fully diluted shares a startup has?

Ask. Most startups will share it with candidates who have an offer; without it, you can't tell what your share count means.

What is a strike price?

The fixed price you pay per share to exercise your options, usually set by the company's latest 409A valuation.

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