Crontab Generator
Build cron schedule expressions visually. Preview next run times and get human-readable descriptions.
Cron Expression
0 * * * *
At minute 0 of every hour
Next 5 Run Times
1.3/7/2026, 4:00:00 AM
2.3/7/2026, 5:00:00 AM
3.3/7/2026, 6:00:00 AM
4.3/7/2026, 7:00:00 AM
5.3/7/2026, 8:00:00 AM
Cron Syntax Reference
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| * | Any value | * = every minute/hour/etc. |
| , | List of values | 1,3,5 = at 1, 3, and 5 |
| - | Range | 1-5 = Monday through Friday |
| / | Step values | */15 = every 15 units |
Frequently Asked Questions
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 running automated tasks. Each field can be a specific value, range, list, or wildcard (*).
What does */5 mean in cron?
The */N syntax means "every N units". For example, */5 in the minute field means every 5 minutes (0, 5, 10, 15, etc.).
How do I set up a cron job?
On Linux/Mac, run "crontab -e" in your terminal to edit your crontab. Add a line with your cron expression followed by the command to run. For example: "0 9 * * 1-5 /path/to/script.sh" runs the script every weekday at 9 AM.