Linear Vesting
Linear vesting releases locked tokens in equal portions over a set period, for example a little every day or every block, instead of in one large unlock. The supply still grows, but in a steady stream rather than in jumps.
How linear vesting works
A vesting contract knows three numbers: the total amount granted, the start time and the end time. With linear vesting, the amount that can be claimed at any moment is simply the share of the period that has passed. Halfway through, half the tokens are claimable; at the end, all of them.
Some contracts release tokens continuously, every block or every second, so the recipient can claim whenever they like. Others approximate a straight line with equal monthly or quarterly tranches. Both are usually called linear, although the monthly version still produces small steps.
Linear vesting with a cliff
Linear vesting is often combined with a cliff, a waiting period before anything is released. A common pattern is a 12-month cliff followed by linear release over the next 24 or 36 months. Depending on the contract, the cliff either just delays the start of the line, or releases everything accrued during the cliff in one lump when it ends. That difference matters a lot, so read the terms carefully.
An example with round numbers
Say a developer is granted 1,200,000 tokens vesting linearly over 24 months with no cliff. That is 50,000 tokens per month, or roughly 1,640 per day if the release is continuous. After 9 months, 450,000 tokens are claimable. Now add a 6-month cliff that releases accrued tokens at the end: on the cliff date, 300,000 tokens become free at once, and the line continues at 50,000 per month afterwards.
Why it matters and what to watch
For holders, linear vesting turns a few big supply events into a constant drip. That avoids sudden walls of new tokens, but it also means steady potential selling pressure that is easy to overlook because no single date stands out.
Check which groups vest linearly and which get large cliff unlocks, whether claimed tokens tend to move to exchanges, and whether a smart contract enforces the schedule. A steady release that is large compared with trading volume can weigh on a token for a long time, even without any headline unlock.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between linear vesting and cliff vesting?
Cliff vesting releases a large amount on a single date, while linear vesting spreads the release evenly over time. Many schedules use both: a cliff first, then a linear release.
Does linear vesting mean tokens are sold every day?
No. It only means tokens become claimable every day or month. Recipients decide whether and when to claim and sell them.
How do I calculate how much has vested?
Divide the time elapsed since the start of vesting by the total vesting period and multiply by the total grant. Adjust for any cliff and for tokens released at launch.
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