Learn How Cron Expressions Work

Each tweak shows immediate plain-English explanation and a preview of the next 5 runs — best way to learn cron.

Níl gá le logáil isteach

Cron expression

minute
(0-59)hour
(0-23)day
(1-31)month
(1-12)weekday
(0-6)

In plain English

At 09:00 on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri.

Next 5 scheduled runs (your local time)

Thu, May 2809:00
Fri, May 2909:00
Mon, Jun 109:00
Tue, Jun 209:00
Wed, Jun 309:00

Common patterns

Compatible with standard Unix cron, GitHub Actions, Kubernetes CronJob, and most scheduling systems. Use * for “every”, */5 for “every 5”, 1-5 for ranges, 1,15 for specific values.

Learning tips

🎓

Click through the preset patterns to see how each field maps to time. Start simple, work up to compound expressions.

💡

The "next 5 runs" preview is the best learning tool — instant feedback when your expression doesn't mean what you thought.

🎯

Cron syntax: minute (0-59), hour (0-23), day-of-month (1-31), month (1-12), day-of-week (0-6, 0=Sunday).

Conas a Oibríonn sé

Cuir isteach

Enter your data into the tool above. Everything stays local to your browser.

Próiseas

The tool processes your data instantly in your browser using JavaScript. No server, no waiting.

Íosluchtaigh

Get your result instantly. Nothing is stored after you leave the page — complete privacy.

Cén fáth ár gceann a úsáid?

✓Go hiomlán saor in aisce - gan aon chostais i bhfolach, riamh

✓Níl cuntas, ríomhphost ná logáil isteach ag teastáil

✓Ní fhágann comhaid do ghléas riamh

✓Níl aon teorainn le méid comhaid ar bith

✓Gan comhartha uisce ar aon aschur

Also check out…

🤖

Build Cron for GitHub Actions Workflows

GitHub Actions uses cron syntax for scheduled work

☸️

Build Cron for Kubernetes CronJobs

Kubernetes CronJob resources use standard cron syn

🐧

Build Cron Entries for Linux crontab

Build expressions for traditional Unix cron (cron,

🗄️

Schedule Database Maintenance Jobs

Schedule backup, vacuum, or analyze jobs with conf

Ceisteanna Coitianta

Back to Cron Expression Builder