Cron Expression Explainer
Translate a 5-field cron expression into a plain-English description of when it runs.
How to use it
- Paste a cron expression Five fields separated by spaces.
- Read the description A plain-English schedule appears.
- Try the presets Tap a common pattern to see it explained.
Examples
| 0 9 * * 1-5 | At 09:00, Mon–Fri |
|---|---|
| */5 * * * * | Every 5 minutes |
About this tool
Cron expressions are compact but cryptic, and a misread field can mean a job runs at the wrong time. This explainer turns a five-field cron schedule into a clear sentence, so you can confirm at a glance when it will actually run.
It understands asterisks, ranges, lists and step values across all five fields, and includes presets for common schedules. Whether you’re writing a new job or debugging an old one, it removes the guesswork. Everything runs in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five fields?
In order — minute, hour, day of the month, month and day of the week. An asterisk means “every”, and you can use ranges, lists and steps.
Does it support special strings?
It explains the standard five-field numeric syntax, including ranges (1-5), lists (1,3,5) and steps (*/15), which covers the vast majority of cron jobs.
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Updated June 15, 2026