Cron Expression Parser
A cron expression schedules automated tasks using 5 or 6 fields: minute, hour, day, month, weekday. Format: "minute hour day month weekday". Example: "0 9 * * 1" runs every Monday at 9:00 AM. Use * for "every", / for intervals (*/5 = every 5), ranges (1-5), and lists (1,3,5). Common presets: @daily, @weekly, @monthly.
Parse and validate cron expressions with human-readable descriptions. See next scheduled run times, visual field breakdown, and use common presets. Supports both standard 5-field and extended 6-field (with seconds) formats.
Cron Expression
Common Presets
Schedule
Every hour
Field Breakdown
| Field | Value | Range | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minute | 0 | 0-59 | * , - / |
| Hour | * | 0-23 | * , - / |
| Day of Month | * | 1-31 | * , - / ? L W |
| Month | * | 1-12 | * , - / |
| Day of Week | * | 0-6 | * , - / ? L # |
Next 5 Scheduled Runs
Cron Expression Syntax
┌───────── minute (0-59) │ ┌───────── hour (0-23) │ │ ┌───────── day of month (1-31) │ │ │ ┌───────── month (1-12) │ │ │ │ ┌───────── day of week (0-6) * * * * *
*- any value,- value list separator (1,3,5)-- range of values (1-5)/- step values (*/15 = every 15)
How to Use
- 1
Enter cron expression
Type your cron expression in the input field using standard 5-field or extended 6-field format
- 2
Use presets if needed
Click common presets like @daily, @hourly, or @weekly for quick scheduling
- 3
View human description
See a plain English explanation of when your cron job will run
- 4
Check next run times
View the next 10 scheduled execution times for your cron expression
- 5
Validate syntax
If the expression is invalid, see detailed error messages explaining what needs to be fixed
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a cron expression?
- A cron expression is a string of 5 or 6 fields that defines a schedule for running automated tasks. Standard format uses 5 fields: minute (0-59), hour (0-23), day of month (1-31), month (1-12), day of week (0-7). Extended format adds seconds. Example: "0 9 * * 1" runs every Monday at 9:00 AM.
- What do the asterisk (*) and slash (/) mean in cron?
- Asterisk (*) means "every" - every minute, hour, day, etc. Slash (/) specifies intervals: */5 in the minute field means "every 5 minutes" (0, 5, 10, 15...). Example: "*/15 * * * *" runs every 15 minutes. Combine them for flexible schedules.
- What is the difference between day of month and day of week?
- Day of month (field 3) specifies calendar dates: 1-31. Day of week (field 5) specifies weekdays: 0=Sunday, 1=Monday, 7=Sunday (alternative). If both are set, the task runs when EITHER condition matches. Use * in one field to ignore it. Example: "0 9 15 * *" runs on the 15th of every month.
- How do I schedule a task to run once per day?
- Use "0 0 * * *" to run at midnight daily. Or specify a different hour: "0 9 * * *" runs at 9:00 AM every day. The format is: minute hour day-of-month month day-of-week. Asterisks in the last three fields mean "every day."
- Can I use ranges and lists in cron expressions?
- Yes. Ranges use hyphens: 1-5 means values 1 through 5. Lists use commas: 1,3,5 means values 1, 3, and 5. Combine them: MON-FRI or 9-17 for business hours. Example: "0 9-17 * * MON-FRI" runs hourly from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays.
- What are common cron presets?
- Common presets include @hourly (0 * * * *), @daily or @midnight (0 0 * * *), @weekly (0 0 * * 0), @monthly (0 0 1 * *), and @yearly (0 0 1 1 *). Some systems support @reboot for running at startup. These are easier to remember than numeric expressions.