Cron Expression Descriptor

Description appears here
Ready

How to Read a Cron Expression

A cron expression is made of 5 fields separated by spaces. Understanding these fields allows you to schedule automated server tasks perfectly. Our tool instantly translates this syntax into plain English.

The 5 Fields:

  • Minute: 0-59
  • Hour: 0-23
  • Day of Month: 1-31
  • Month: 1-12
  • Day of Week: 0-6 (Sunday is 0)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cron Expression?
A cron expression is a string of fields separated by spaces used to schedule commands in Unix/Linux operating systems. It dictates exactly when a background task (cron job) should execute.
What does the asterisk (*) mean?
The asterisk (*) is a wildcard that means "every". If placed in the hour column, it means the task runs every hour. If placed in the month column, it runs every month.
How do I run a task every 5 minutes?
You use a slash (/) to indicate step values. The expression */5 * * * * translates to running the task every 5 minutes, every hour, every day.