Cron Expression Explainer
Paste any cron expression and instantly get a plain-English explanation, a visual field breakdown, and the next 5 execution times.
Every 5 minutes
Next 5 Execution Times
Cron Syntax Quick Reference
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| * | Any value | * * * * * = every minute |
| */N | Every N units | */15 * * * * = every 15 min |
| N | Exact value | 0 9 * * * = at 09:00 |
| N-M | Range (N to M) | 0 9 * * 1-5 = weekdays at 09:00 |
| N,M,K | List of values | 0 9 * * 1,3,5 = Mon, Wed, Fri |
Schedule This Expression with CronJobPro
Turn */5 * * * * into an automated HTTP request. Get monitoring, retries, and notifications — all for free.
Related Tools & Resources
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 recurring schedule. Originally from Unix cron, it is now the universal standard for scheduling tasks across operating systems, cloud services, and tools like CronJobPro.
How is this different from crontab.guru?
Like crontab.guru, we parse your expression and explain it in plain English. But we also show the next 5 actual execution times calculated in your local timezone, provide a visual field breakdown, and let you schedule the expression as an automated HTTP request with one click.
Does this tool support 6-field or 7-field cron expressions?
This tool supports the standard 5-field format (minute, hour, day-of-month, month, day-of-week). Extended formats with seconds or year fields are not part of the POSIX cron standard. CronJobPro supports sub-minute scheduling (down to 30 seconds) on Pro plans.
What timezone are the execution times shown in?
Execution times are displayed in your browser's local timezone. CronJobPro lets you set a specific timezone per job, so your schedules are predictable regardless of where you or your servers are located.