Cron Expression Parser
Parse and explain cron expressions online for free. See the next run times and understand what each cron field means.
About this tool
The Cron Expression Parser helps developers understand and debug cron schedule expressions. Enter any cron expression and instantly see a plain-English explanation, the next 10 scheduled run times, and a breakdown of each field (minute, hour, day of month, month, day of week). Supports standard 5-field cron and extended 6-field cron with seconds. Essential for DevOps, server administration, and scheduled task automation.
How to use Cron Parser
- 1Enter a cron expression: Type or paste your cron expression (e.g., 0 9 * * 1-5).
- 2See the explanation: The tool shows a plain-English description of the schedule.
- 3Check next run times: View the next 10 scheduled execution times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cron expression?
A cron expression is a string of 5 or 6 fields that defines a schedule for running automated tasks. Fields represent: minute, hour, day of month, month, day of week.
What does * mean in cron?
An asterisk (*) means "every" — so * in the minute field means "every minute".
What does 0 0 * * * mean?
This runs at midnight (00:00) every day — the first 0 is minute 0, the second 0 is hour 0, and the rest are wildcards.
How do I run a job every 5 minutes?
Use */5 * * * * — the */5 in the minute field means "every 5 minutes".