Cron Expression Generator
Build, decode, and test cron expressions visually. All processing happens in your browser.
Fields
Use * (any), , (list), - (range), / (step). Example: */5 = every 5, 1,15 = 1st and 15th, 9-17 = 9 through 17
Generated Expression
* * * * *Every minute
Next 5 Execution Times
- 1.Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 12:25 AM
- 2.Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 12:26 AM
- 3.Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 12:27 AM
- 4.Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 12:28 AM
- 5.Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 12:29 AM
Common Presets
Decode Existing Expression
How to Build Cron Expressions
- 1
Choose Schedule Type
Select a common preset (hourly, daily, weekly) or build a custom expression.
- 2
Configure Fields
Set minute, hour, day-of-month, month, and day-of-week using dropdowns or enter values directly.
- 3
Preview Schedule
View the generated cron expression, a human-readable description, and the next 5 execution times.
- 4
Copy Expression
Click Copy to copy the cron expression to your clipboard for use in crontab, CI/CD, or schedulers.
What is a Cron Expression?
A cron expression is a string of five (or six) space-separated fields that defines a recurring schedule for automated task execution. Originally from the Unix cron daemon, cron expressions have become the universal scheduling language across CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins), cloud schedulers (AWS EventBridge, Google Cloud Scheduler), Kubernetes CronJobs, and frameworks like Celery and Airflow.
The five standard fields represent: minute (0-59), hour (0-23), day of month (1-31), month (1-12), and day of week (0-7). Special characters provide flexibility: * matches any value, comma creates lists, hyphen defines ranges, and / sets step intervals (*/5 = every 5 units). Some systems add a sixth seconds field, used by Quartz Scheduler and Spring Framework.
ToolPix's visual cron expression builder lets you create schedules without memorizing syntax. Select from presets (hourly, daily, weekly) or build custom expressions using dropdown menus. The tool generates a human-readable description and previews the next 5 execution times so you can verify correctness before deploying.
You can also paste an existing cron expression to decode it into plain English — perfect for auditing configuration files or reviewing CI/CD workflows. All processing happens in your browser with no server communication, making this a free and private cron expression tool for developers and DevOps engineers.
Key Features
Common Use Cases
- •Build cron schedules for CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI)
- •Configure cloud scheduler expressions for AWS Lambda, Cloud Functions
- •Set up recurring crontab jobs on Linux servers
- •Decode and audit existing cron expressions in configuration files
- •Create backup schedules for databases and file systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What does * mean in a cron expression?
The asterisk (*) means 'every' or 'any value'. For example, * in the minute field means 'every minute'. * in the hour field means 'every hour'.
What is the difference between 5-field and 6-field cron?
Standard cron uses 5 fields (minute, hour, day-of-month, month, day-of-week). Extended cron adds a seconds field at the beginning, used by some schedulers like Quartz and Spring.
How do I run a job every 5 minutes?
Use */5 in the minute field with * in all other fields: */5 * * * *. The /5 means 'every 5th value'.
Can I schedule jobs on specific days of the week?
Yes. Use the day-of-week field (0=Sunday, 1=Monday, ..., 6=Saturday). For example, 0 9 * * 1-5 runs at 9 AM on weekdays (Monday through Friday).
Is this compatible with crontab, GitHub Actions, and AWS?
Yes. The generated 5-field expressions work with standard crontab, GitHub Actions, AWS CloudWatch, and most scheduling systems. Some systems may require minor syntax variations.
Is this cron generator free to use?
Yes. ToolPix's cron expression builder is completely free with no usage limits, no registration, and no ads. Build as many cron expressions as you need.
Can I use this on mobile?
Yes. The visual builder is fully responsive and works on any modern mobile browser, making it convenient to create or decode cron expressions on the go.
What time zone do cron expressions use?
Standard cron expressions do not include time zone information — they run in the server's local time zone. Cloud schedulers like AWS EventBridge and Google Cloud Scheduler allow you to specify a time zone separately.