> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.metronome.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.metronome.io/tokenomics/governance/lock-met.md).

# Lock MET

#### Locking $MET

Users can directly lock their $MET tokens to receive esMET in return. When users decide to lock $MET in exchange for esMET, the amount they receive isn't just a straightforward conversion. Instead, it considers the maximum boost (a fixed value of 4), lock-up duration, and the maximum lockup permitted (2 years/730 days). Notably, unlike some other protocols such as Curve, esMET does not have a decay over time, and will not require relocking to maintain maximum benefits.

To work out how much esMET you will receive, use the following formula:

**Boost:** MaxBoost \* Lockup Duration / Max Lockup

**Boosted Balance:** Balance \* Boost

**esMET:** $MET Balance + Boost Balance

**Example:**

Suppose a user decides to lock their 1000 $MET tokens for a period of 2 years (730 days). Using the formulas above:

**Boost:** 4 \* 730 / 730 = 4

**Boosted Balance:** 1000 \* 4 = 4000

**Total esMET Balance:** 1000 + 4000 = 5000 esMET

esMET is designed to be transferable (as an ERC-721 token), enabling users to directly send or receive it. This means that even users without any $MET can hold esMET, whether they receive it from Metronome as an incentivized reward or from another user.