# Cron Expression Generator

URL: https://tools.otaku-dojo.com/en/cron-expression-generator
Updated: 2026-10-04

The Cron Expression Generator turns the five crontab fields (minute, hour, day of month, month, day of week) into plain English — for example "At 09:00, Monday through Friday" — and lists the next 10 actual run times so you can catch mistakes before deploying. It supports *, lists, ranges, */n steps, JAN–DEC and SUN–SAT names and macros such as @daily, plus common templates.

## How to use the Cron Expression Generator

1. Pick a template from "Common schedules", or type a cron expression.
2. The plain-English meaning and each field's values appear instantly.
3. Check "Next 10 runs" (shown in your computer's time zone).
4. Press "Copy" and paste the expression into crontab, GitHub Actions or your scheduler.

## Specs & key facts

- **Format**: Standard 5-field crontab: minute hour day-of-month month day-of-week
- **Syntax**: *, lists, ranges, steps, month and weekday names, @daily-style macros
- **Day matching**: Standard cron OR rule when both day fields are restricted
- **Next runs**: Next 10 runs in your browser's time zone
- **Not supported**: Seconds field (Quartz 6–7 fields), L, W, # extensions
- **Processing**: In your browser

## Examples: Every 15 minutes during office hours on weekdays

```text
*/15 9-18 * * 1-5
```

→

```text
Every 15 minutes between 09:00 and 18:59, Monday through Friday
```

## Examples: Monthly backup at 3 AM on the 1st

```text
0 3 1 * *
```

→

```text
At 03:00, on day 1 of the month
```

## FAQ

### What does */5 * * * * mean?

Run every 5 minutes — at minutes 0, 5, 10 … 55 of every hour.

### Which time zone does GitHub Actions use?

GitHub Actions schedules run in UTC. Convert your local time to UTC before writing the expression; this tool shows next runs in your computer's time zone.

### Is Sunday 0 or 7?

Both. 0 and 7 mean Sunday.

### Why isn't 0 0 13 * 5 "Friday the 13th"?

Standard cron ORs the two day fields when both are restricted, so it runs on every 13th and every Friday. Check for Friday the 13th inside your script instead.