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ZeroTool Workbench
Cron Job Generator
Build cron expressions visually with field-by-field controls. Select every, every-N, range, or specific values for minute, hour, day, month, and weekday. Get human-readable descriptions and next 10 run times. Free online cron job generator.
How to Use
Click a preset at the top to load a common schedule instantly, or configure each field manually.
For each time field (Minute, Hour, Day, Month, Weekday), choose a mode using the tab buttons:
- Every — matches all values in the field (outputs
*). - Every N — matches every Nth value (e.g.,
*/5for every 5 minutes). - Range — matches all values between two numbers (e.g.,
9-17for business hours). - Specific — matches exact values; click chips for Month/Weekday, or type comma-separated numbers for Minute/Hour/Day.
The Cron Expression field updates automatically. Copy it with the Copy button. Read the Description to confirm the schedule in plain English, and check the Next 10 runs list to verify the timing in your local timezone.
Cron Expression Field Reference
| Field | Position | Allowed Values | Special Chars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minute | 1st | 0–59 | * / - , |
| Hour | 2nd | 0–23 | * / - , |
| Day of Month | 3rd | 1–31 | * / - , |
| Month | 4th | 1–12 | * / - , |
| Day of Week | 5th | 0–6 (Sun=0) | * / - , |
Common Cron Schedule Examples
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
* * * * * | Every minute |
0 * * * * | Every hour at :00 |
0 0 * * * | Every day at midnight |
0 9 * * 1-5 | Weekdays at 9 AM |
*/5 * * * * | Every 5 minutes |
0 0 1 * * | First day of each month |
0 0 * * 0 | Every Sunday at midnight |
0 0 1 1 * | January 1st at midnight |
FAQ
What is a cron expression?
A cron expression is a string of five fields separated by spaces that defines a recurring schedule: minute (0–59), hour (0–23), day of month (1–31), month (1–12), and day of week (0–6, Sunday=0). The asterisk (*) means 'every value'; */N means 'every N units'; a range like 9-17 means 'from 9 to 17'; and a list like 1,15 means 'on the 1st and 15th'.
What is the difference between cron-job-generator and cron-parser?
The cron-job-generator lets you build a cron expression by selecting options for each field visually — you choose the schedule and the expression is generated. The cron-parser does the reverse: you type an existing expression and it explains what the schedule means and shows the next run times.
What does 'Every N' mode mean?
Every N mode generates a step expression like */5 for the minute field, meaning 'at every 5th minute' (0, 5, 10, 15 … 55). You can use this in any field: */2 in the hour field means 'every 2 hours', */3 in the month field means 'every 3 months', and so on.
Can I combine different modes across fields?
Yes. Each field is independent, so you can mix modes freely. For example, to run at 9 AM on the 1st and 15th of every month, set minute to Every with value 0, hour to Specific with value 9, day to Specific with values 1 and 15, month to Every, and weekday to Every.
Why doesn't the generator support six-field (seconds) cron expressions?
The five-field format is the standard used by cron, crontab, GitHub Actions, and most scheduling systems. Some tools like Quartz Scheduler add a seconds field, but there is no universal standard for it. This generator focuses on the widely supported five-field format.