Cron Expression Parser
Parse cron expressions into human-readable descriptions. View next execution times and use preset schedules for common patterns.
How to Use the Cron Expression Parser
- Enter a 5-field cron expression (minute, hour, day-of-month, month, day-of-week).
- Or click one of the preset buttons for common schedules.
- Read the human-readable description of your cron schedule.
- Review the next 5 execution times to verify the schedule is correct.
About Cron Expression Parser
Cron is a time-based job scheduling system used in Unix-like operating systems. A cron expression consists of five fields: minute (0-59), hour (0-23), day of month (1-31), month (1-12), and day of week (0-6, where 0 is Sunday). Each field can contain specific values, ranges (1-5), lists (1,3,5), steps (*/5), or wildcards (*). Cron expressions are used to schedule automated tasks like backups, log rotation, data synchronization, and system maintenance. This parser helps you understand complex cron expressions by converting them to plain English and showing upcoming execution times.
Frequently Asked Questions
The */5 notation means 'every 5 units'. For example, */5 in the minute field means every 5 minutes (0, 5, 10, 15...), and */6 in the hour field means every 6 hours.
Standard Unix cron uses 5 fields (minute through day-of-week). Some systems add a 6th field for seconds. This tool uses the standard 5-field format.
Use 1-5 in the day-of-week field (Monday through Friday). For example, '0 9 * * 1-5' runs at 9:00 AM every weekday.