What is Slash Step (/)?
A special character specifying interval/step values — "every Nth" value.
Definition
The slash (/) defines step or increment values within a cron field. */5 in the minute field means "every 5th minute" (0, 5, 10, 15...). It can be combined with ranges: "10-50/10" means "every 10th minute starting at minute 10" (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). The value before the slash is the starting point (or * for the field minimum), and the value after is the increment.
Simple Analogy
Like counting by fives on a clock face — instead of saying every number, you skip ahead by the step value each time.
Why It Matters
Step values are the simplest way to create interval schedules. "Every 5 minutes" (*/5), "every 2 hours" (*/2), and "every other day" (*/2 in day-of-month) are all written with the slash. It is the most intuitive way to express "how often" rather than "at what time."
How to Verify
The step value determines how many runs per cycle: 60/step for minutes (*/5 = 12 runs per hour), 24/step for hours (*/6 = 4 runs per day). Use the Cron Explainer to verify the calculated run times match your expectation.
Common Mistakes
Thinking */5 starts at minute 5 — it starts at 0 (or the range start). Confusing */5 with 5 — the slash means "every 5th" while bare 5 means "only at 5." Using large step values that do not divide evenly into the field range (*/7 in minutes gives runs at 0,7,14,21,28,35,42,49,56 — uneven spacing across the hour boundary).
Best Practices
Use step values that divide evenly into the field range: */5, */10, */15, */20, */30 for minutes; */2, */3, */4, */6, */8, */12 for hours. For non-standard intervals like "every 7 minutes," accept the uneven distribution or consider a different approach.
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What is Slash Step (/)?
The slash (/) defines step or increment values within a cron field. */5 in the minute field means "every 5th minute" (0, 5, 10, 15...). It can be combined with ranges: "10-50/10" means "every 10th minute starting at minute 10" (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). The value before the slash is the starting point (or * for the field minimum), and the value after is the increment.
Why does Slash Step (/) matter for cron jobs?
Step values are the simplest way to create interval schedules. "Every 5 minutes" (*/5), "every 2 hours" (*/2), and "every other day" (*/2 in day-of-month) are all written with the slash. It is the most intuitive way to express "how often" rather than "at what time."
What are best practices for Slash Step (/)?
Use step values that divide evenly into the field range: */5, */10, */15, */20, */30 for minutes; */2, */3, */4, */6, */8, */12 for hours. For non-standard intervals like "every 7 minutes," accept the uneven distribution or consider a different approach.