An auto-renewal clause — sometimes called an “evergreen clause” — means your contract automatically continues for another full term unless you take action to stop it. You don't get an invoice asking “do you want to renew?” — it just renews, and you get charged.
Vendors use them for entirely rational reasons:
Auto-renewal clauses use consistent language. Scan every contract for these phrases:
Where to find it: Look in sections titled “Term”, “Renewal”, or “Termination”. It's sometimes buried in a Schedule or Appendix, and often follows immediately after the initial term length is stated.
For every auto-renewal clause, find these three things:
Yes or No. Many contracts don't auto-renew — the vendor just sends a renewal offer. If the answer is No, you're done. If Yes, continue to 02 and 03.
How many days before expiry must you give notice to cancel? Common periods are 14, 30, 60, or 90 days. This is the number that determines your real deadline.
Does it renew for the same period (annual → annual) or different? Some contracts renew month-to-month after the initial annual term — which changes your exit window entirely.
Here is how four common contracts handle auto-renewal:
...automatically renews for successive one-year terms unless either party gives written notice at least 30 days prior to the end of the then-current term.
...automatically renew for successive twelve-month periods unless Customer provides AWS with written notice of non-renewal at least 90 days prior...
This subscription does not automatically renew. HubSpot will send a renewal reminder 45 days before the Subscription End Date.
Tenant shall have the option to renew... upon written notice not less than 60 days prior to the expiration of the initial term.
Contract language sourced from publicly available vendor agreements as of early 2026. Terms may vary by contract version and customer tier.
These aren't hypothetical. They happen to well-run ops teams at companies of every size.
Missed 30-day notice by 2 weeks. Contract auto-renewed for another full year. Exit only possible in 12 months.
Missed 90-day notice. Contract auto-renewed. You had a competing bid 15% lower. The window closed before you could act.
Missed 60-day notice. Lease auto-extended for 12 months. You had already found cheaper office space nearby.
A three-step system that works whether you have five contracts or fifty:
Want a ready-made spreadsheet? Download the free contract renewal tracker template →
Often yes — but it's harder than catching it in time.
If you've already missed the notice window, your options are:
What is an auto-renewal clause?
An auto-renewal clause means your contract automatically continues for another full term when it expires, unless you give written notice to cancel before a specific deadline. You don't get asked if you want to renew — it just renews, and the charge hits.
What phrases should I look for to find an auto-renewal clause?
Search the contract for "shall automatically renew," "will automatically renew," "evergreen," "successive one-year periods," or "unless written notice is given." These phrases typically appear in sections titled "Term," "Renewal," or "Termination."
How much notice do I need to give to cancel an auto-renewal?
It depends on the contract. Common notice periods are 30 days (Salesforce), 60 days (many office leases), and 90 days (AWS Enterprise). The deadline is your expiry date minus that number of days — and that date, not the expiry date, is the one that matters.
Can you get out of a contract after it auto-renews?
Sometimes. Contact the vendor directly — some will make an exception for long-term customers, especially if you act quickly. You can also check whether the vendor was required to send a renewal notice and failed to. For significant contract values, a legal review may be warranted.
What is an evergreen clause in a contract?
An evergreen clause is another name for an auto-renewal clause. It means the contract keeps renewing indefinitely until one party actively cancels it. The name reflects the idea that the contract stays "alive" continuously unless you cut it.
Upload a contract PDF — Renewl extracts the auto-renew flag, notice period, and calculates your notice deadline. Alerts fire before it's too late to act.