Free tool
Cofounder equity split calculator
Score each founder from 0 to 10 on what they'll contribute, adjust how much each factor matters to your team, and get a starting split to discuss — then put vesting on top.
Founders
Suggested starting split
- Founder A50.0%
- Founder B50.0%
A starting point for the conversation, not legal or tax advice. Pair any split with four-year vesting and a one-year cliff — see the vesting calculator.
How the calculator works
Each founder's points are the sum of their scores multiplied by each factor's weight; their share is their points divided by everyone's points. The default weights favour what founders will do from here on — time commitment and role — over work already done, because most of a startup's value is created after day one. Change the weights to reflect what your team agrees matters.
How should cofounders split equity?
Weigh what each founder will contribute from here on — time commitment, the role the next two years depend on, expertise, capital, and work already done — rather than only who had the idea. Equal splits are a reasonable default when founders start together with the same commitment. Whatever the split, put vesting in place.
Is a 50/50 split a bad idea?
Not necessarily. An even split between two equally committed founders avoids resentment. The real risk is splitting equally without vesting or a way to resolve deadlocks, so agree decision rights in your founder agreement.
Does this calculator give legal advice?
No. It is a structured starting point for a conversation between founders. Have a startup lawyer review your founder agreement, vesting and share issuance.
Read more: How to split equity with a cofounder · What is vesting? · Find a cofounder