Free ForeverNo SignupEquity SplitUpdated 2026

Cap Table Calculator

Build a simple cap table — see exactly who owns what percentage and what each stake is worth at your current valuation.

A cap table (capitalisation table) lists all shareholders and their ownership percentages. It's the source of truth for equity in your company. Every funding round, option grant, and convertible note changes it. Keeping it accurate matters: a wrong cap table can block acquisitions and create legal disputes.

Founder Shares (Total)

Total shares held by all founders combined

Investor Shares

Preferred shares issued to investors across all rounds

Option Pool Shares

Total shares reserved for employee stock options (issued + unissued)

Other SharesOptional — advisors, notes, other

Advisors, consultants, convertible notes (if converted)

Company ValuationOptional — calculates $ value of each stake

Current valuation (post-money or latest round valuation)

The Formula

Ownership % = Stakeholder Shares ÷ Total Shares × 100

In plain English

Each stakeholder's ownership = their shares ÷ total fully-diluted shares × 100.

Worked Example

7M founder + 2M investor + 1M options = 10M total. Founders: 70%. Investors: 20%. Options: 10%.

What Makes a Healthy Cap Table

A healthy cap table has a small number of stockholders (under 300 for private companies), clearly defined ownership percentages, and shares that are properly issued with appropriate vesting schedules.

Common cap table problems: too many small investors (creates administrative burden and blocking rights risks), founders with no vesting (bad for team morale and investor confidence), and convertible notes that haven't been cleaned up.

60–80%

Healthy founder ownership pre-seed

30–50%

Typical founder ownership at Series A

10–15%

Standard employee option pool

<300

Shareholder count before SEC complications

Cap Table Health by Stage (2026)

Stage	Founder %	Investor %	Option Pool
Pre-seed	80–95%	5–15%	5–10%
Seed	60–80%	15–30%	10–15%
Series A	40–60%	30–45%	15–20%
Series B	25–45%	45–60%	15–20%

Source: Carta State of Private Markets 2025

Common Mistakes

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Not using a proper cap table tool from day one

Tracking equity in a spreadsheet is fine until it isn't. A single formula error can invalidate your entire cap table. Use Carta, Pulley, or Capshare from the first funding event.

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Issuing shares without vesting schedules

All founder and employee shares should vest over time (typically 4 years with a 1-year cliff). Unvested shares protect the company if someone leaves early. Investors will require vesting as a condition of funding.

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Forgetting to account for the fully-diluted share count

"Fully diluted" includes all issued shares, unissued option pool, outstanding warrants, and unconverted convertible securities. Ownership percentages should always be calculated on a fully-diluted basis.