Cron
Cron schedule generator
Cron Expression Generator
Build cron schedule expressions without memorizing syntax.
How to use ▸▾
Fill 5 fields: minute, hour, day of month, month, weekday. Use * for "every", */5 for "every 5".
Example:0 9 * * 1-5 = weekdays at 9 AM.
Pick a preset or type manually. Expression and description update instantly.
0 * * * *At minute 0 every hour.
How to use the Cron tool
Cron is the standard job scheduler on Linux and Unix systems. A cron expression is five fields that define when a job runs: minute, hour, day of month, month, and weekday. This generator builds valid expressions from plain-language settings and instantly explains what each expression means, so you never have to memorize the syntax.
- 1 Fill in the five fields: minute, hour, day of month, month, and weekday.
- 2 Use * for every, */5 for every 5 units, and 1-5 for ranges.
- 3 Pick a preset like Daily midnight or Weekdays 9 AM to fill the fields automatically.
- 4 Copy the generated expression and add it to your crontab with crontab -e.
Example: Weekdays 9 AM → 0 9 * * 1-5
Minute: 0, Hour: 9, Day of month: *, Month: *, Weekday: 1-5
Expression: 0 9 * * 1-5 Meaning: At 09:00 every Monday-Friday.
Cron FAQ
What are the five cron fields?
Minute (0-59), hour (0-23), day of month (1-31), month (1-12), and weekday (0-7, where both 0 and 7 mean Sunday). An asterisk matches every value in that field.
How do I run a job every 5 minutes?
Use */5 in the minute field: */5 * * * *. The step value */N means every N units, which is the most common way to build repeating schedules.
How do I run a backup every day at 2 AM?
Use 0 2 * * *. The expression 0 2 * * * runs at 02:00 every day, and 0 2 * * 0 would run it only on Sundays.
Is there a difference between day-of-month and weekday when both are set?
Yes. When both are restricted, cron runs the job when EITHER matches (a logical OR), which surprises many people. If you need strict AND behavior, use a separate schedule or a conditional script.
