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Cron Expression Parser

Parse cron expressions, see next run times, and build schedules visually

Cron Expression

MinuteHourDay (Month)MonthDay (Week)

Description:

At 09:00 from Mon to Fri

Common Presets

Next Run Times (10)

#1

Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 09:00 AM

#2

Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 09:00 AM

#3

Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 09:00 AM

#4

Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 09:00 AM

#5

Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 09:00 AM

#6

Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Fri, Mar 6, 2026, 09:00 AM

#7

Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 09:00 AM

#8

Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 09:00 AM

#9

Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 09:00 AM

#10

Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 09:00 AM

UTC: Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 09:00 AM

Cron Syntax Reference

SymbolMeaningExample
*Any value (wildcard)* * * * *
,Value list separator0 9,17 * * *
-Range of values0 9 * * 1-5
/Step values*/15 * * * *

Cron Expression Guide

Learn how to write and understand cron expressions

What is a Cron Expression?

A cron expression is a string of five or six fields separated by spaces, representing a schedule. It's used by Unix-like systems and many task schedulers to define when jobs should run. The standard format is: minute hour day-of-month month day-of-week.

How to Use This Tool

  1. Enter a cron expression directly or use the visual builder
  2. View the human-readable description of your schedule
  3. Check the next 10 scheduled run times
  4. Use presets for common scheduling patterns

Cron Syntax

Each field accepts: * (any), specific values, ranges (1-5), lists (1,3,5), and steps (*/15). Day of week uses 0-6 (Sunday=0). Some systems use 1-7 where Sunday=7.

Pro Tips

  • Use */n for intervals: */15 in minute field runs every 15 minutes
  • Ranges like 1-5 in day-of-week means Monday through Friday
  • Always verify your expression with the next run times preview

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 5-field and 6-field cron?

Standard cron uses 5 fields: minute, hour, day-of-month, month, day-of-week. Some systems add a 6th field for seconds at the beginning. This tool supports both formats, but focuses on the standard 5-field format.

How do I run a job every N minutes?

Use */N in the minute field. For example, */15 * * * * runs every 15 minutes. For specific starting points, use 5/15 to run at minutes 5, 20, 35, 50.

What do the day-of-week numbers mean?

In standard cron: 0 = Sunday, 1 = Monday, ..., 6 = Saturday. Some systems also accept 7 for Sunday. This tool uses the 0-6 convention.

Can I use both day-of-month and day-of-week?

Yes, but behavior varies by implementation. In some systems, the job runs when EITHER condition is met. Use * for one field when you want to specify only the other.

Why are my scheduled times different from expected?

Check your timezone settings. Cron jobs typically run in the server's timezone. This tool shows times in your local timezone and UTC for comparison.