Cron Expression Generator & Parser
Generate and parse cron expressions visually. Build cron schedules for Linux, Unix, and cron jobs. See next execution times and human-readable descriptions.
Build Cron Expression
Parse Cron Expression
How to Use
Use Presets
Click a preset button to quickly set common schedules like "Every hour" or "Weekdays at 9 AM".
Customize Fields
Use the dropdowns to customize each field. Choose between every N, specific values, or ranges.
Parse Expressions
Enter an existing cron expression to see its human-readable description and next execution times.
Cron Syntax Reference
A cron expression consists of 5 fields separated by spaces:
┌───────────── minute (0-59) │ ┌───────────── hour (0-23) │ │ ┌───────────── day of month (1-31) │ │ │ ┌───────────── month (1-12 or JAN-DEC) │ │ │ │ ┌───────────── day of week (0-6 or SUN-SAT) │ │ │ │ │ * * * * *
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
* | Any value | * * * * * = every minute |
, | List separator | 0,30 * * * * = at minute 0 and 30 |
- | Range | 0 9-17 * * * = every hour from 9 AM to 5 PM |
/ | Step values | */15 * * * * = every 15 minutes |
FAQ
What is a cron expression?
A cron expression is a string of 5 fields (minute, hour, day of month, month, day of week) that defines a schedule for automated tasks. It's used in Unix/Linux crontab, CI/CD pipelines, cloud schedulers, and many scheduling systems.
What's the difference between 5-field and 6-field cron?
Standard cron uses 5 fields: minute (0-59), hour (0-23), day of month (1-31), month (1-12), day of week (0-6). Some systems like Quartz and Spring add a 6th field for seconds at the beginning. This tool generates standard 5-field expressions.
What does the asterisk (*) mean in cron?
The asterisk means 'every' or 'any value'. For example, * in the hour field means every hour, and * * * * * means every minute of every hour of every day.
How do I run a cron job on weekdays only?
Use 1-5 or MON-FRI in the day of week field (5th field). For example, '0 9 * * 1-5' runs at 9 AM Monday through Friday.
Is my data secure?
Yes. All processing happens in your browser. Your cron expressions never leave your device.