Stock options are one of the most powerful tools startups have and one of the most misunderstood. Every founder knows they need an option pool, especially when hiring early or raising VC. But how big should it actually be? Copying “10%” from a blog post can quietly destroy your cap table. The option pool sits right next to founders and investors, so every percentage point affects dilution, valuation, and future rounds. Getting it wrong shows up later usually at the worst possible moment.
That’s why we built a free Excel option pool calculator. Instead of guessing, it helps you size your option pool bottom-up, role by role, based on your real hiring plan. Model early vs. late hires, seniority, risk, and future grants - and see how equity decisions ripple through your cap table over time. If you’re hiring, fundraising, or planning your next round, this calculator will save you hours of spreadsheet work and help you avoid painful equity conversations later.
Download Option Pool Calculator spreadsheet
