Employee Stock Option Calculator
Vested value, spread and exercise cost.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Paper gain
- $52,000.00
- Vested options
- 10,000
- Exercise cost
- $12,000.00
- Value if fully vested
- $104,000.00
Quick answer
Option value is the spread between current share price and strike price on vested shares.
Gain = vested × (price − strike)
How to use the Employee Stock Option Calculator
- 1Enter options granted and the percentage vested.
- 2Enter your strike price.
- 3Enter the current or expected share price.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Options granted20000
- Percent vested50 %
- Strike price1.2 $
- Current share price6.4 $
Results
- Paper gain$52,000.00
- Vested options10,000
- Exercise cost$12,000.00
- Value if fully vested$104,000.00
Frequently asked questions
Do I owe tax on exercise?
Often yes on the spread — check whether your grant is ISO or NSO equivalent.
What if the price is below strike?
The options are underwater and worth nothing today.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.