devcrate / Dev Utilities / Cron Expression Explainer
Dev Utilities
Cron, in plain English.
Cron syntax is dense and easy to misread. Paste an expression and get back exactly when it fires, in words.
runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded
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How to use the cron expression explainer
- Paste a standard 5-field cron expression (minute hour day-of-month month day-of-week).
- Click Explain.
- Double-check against the field reference shown below the result if anything looks off.
Common cron patterns
Expression
Runs
* * * * *
Every minute
*/15 * * * *
Every 15 minutes
0 * * * *
Every hour, on the hour
0 9 * * *
Every day at 9:00 AM
0 9 * * 1-5
Every weekday at 9:00 AM
0 0 1 * *
Midnight on the 1st of every month
0 0 * * 0
Midnight every Sunday
0 0 1 1 *
Midnight on January 1st (yearly)
Frequently asked questions about the Cron Expression Explainer
Is my data uploaded anywhere when I use the Cron Expression Explainer?
No. The Cron Expression Explainer runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript — nothing you type, paste, or select is sent to any server. You can confirm this yourself by opening your browser's network tab while using it.
Is the Cron Expression Explainer really free, and do I need an account?
Yes — the Cron Expression Explainer is completely free, with no account, sign-up, or usage limit.
Does it work on mobile and in any browser?
The Cron Expression Explainer works in any modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — on desktop or mobile, since it's built with standard HTML, CSS, and JavaScript with no special requirements.