Cliff
General
Initial period before vesting starts.
A cliff is the initial period in a vesting schedule when nothing unlocks. On the cliff date, a chunk vests at once, then smaller pieces vest each period after. Cliffs help align long term commitment and reduce early turnover.
Frequently asked questions
Why use a cliff in vesting?
It aligns long term incentives and reduces churn. Team members earn nothing until the cliff ends, then start vesting.How long is a typical cliff?
Common cliffs are 6 to 12 months, but terms vary by company and role. Always check your agreement.What happens at the cliff date?
A larger first chunk vests, then smaller amounts vest on a regular schedule after that.