Cron Expression Parser
Translate a cron schedule into plain English and see each field explained.
Understand any cron expression
The Cron Expression Parser translates a cron schedule into plain English and breaks it down field by field. Type an expression like 0 9 * * 1-5 and instantly see that it means "at minute 0 past hour 9, on weekdays Monday through Friday." It's the fastest way to build, read, and debug cron jobs without second-guessing the syntax.
How cron syntax works
A standard cron expression has five fields separated by spaces, each controlling part of the schedule. From left to right they are: minute, hour, day of month, month, and day of week. An asterisk (*) means "every," and you can use ranges (1-5), lists (1,3,5), and steps (*/15) to build precise schedules.
The five fields
| Field | Range |
|---|---|
| Minute | 0–59 |
| Hour | 0–23 |
| Day of month | 1–31 |
| Month | 1–12 |
| Day of week | 0–6 (Sun–Sat) |
Special characters
*— every value (e.g. every minute).*/n— every n units (e.g.*/15= every 15 minutes).a-b— a range (e.g.1-5= Monday to Friday).a,b,c— a specific list of values.
Common examples
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 0 * * * | Every day at midnight |
| */15 * * * * | Every 15 minutes |
| 0 9 * * 1-5 | 9am on weekdays |
| 0 0 1 * * | Midnight on the 1st of each month |
How to use it
- Type your cron expression (five fields).
- Read the plain-English description.
- Check the per-field breakdown to confirm each part.
Private and free
Parsing happens entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded. The tool is completely free with no sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
How many fields does a cron expression have?
Five: minute, hour, day of month, month, and day of week, separated by spaces.
What does */15 mean?
A step value — 'every 15'. In the minute field, */15 means every 15 minutes.
What does 0 9 * * 1-5 do?
It runs at 9:00 AM, Monday through Friday — a common weekday-morning schedule.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up, running entirely in your browser.