Crontab Generator: Create and understand cron expressions online
The Crontab Generator builds a cron expression such as */5 * * * * from the minute, hour, day, month, and weekday. It explains the expression in plain language (“Every 5 minutes”) and shows the next execution times.
Built by Jakub Martyniak
Automating backups or restarts? Run your cronjobs with full root access.
Syntax
- *
- Every value
- ,
- List of values
- -
- Value range
- /
- Step size
- 0 / 7
- Both mean Sunday
Result
*/5 * * * *
“Every 5 minutes.”
You can use the same syntax for automatic restarts, Backups, and commands for your ZapX services (VPS, Dedicated Server, TeamSpeak).
Why this tool
More than a syntax reference
Build, understand, and check a cron expression before it runs on your server.
Forms instead of memorizing syntax
Enter the minute, hour, day, month, and weekday directly — no need to memorize Cron syntax.
Plain-language explanation
The cron expression is explained in plain language as you type, such as “Every 5 minutes” or “At 04:00.” The tool immediately flags invalid values with a hint.
Upcoming execution times
See the next three run times for your schedule before you use it.
Templates for common jobs
Nine presets, from “Every 5 minutes” and “Daily at 04:00” to “Every Monday” and “Every year on January 1.”
Runs only in the browser
All calculations take place in your browser—nothing is sent to a server or stored.
Copy completed line
Copy the finished schedule with one click and paste it into your actual crontab—add the command there.
Guide
How to create a cron job with the Crontab Generator
Four steps from schedule to a complete crontab entry.
Step 1
Set schedule
Enter the minute, hour, day, month, and weekday in the five fields, or select a preset such as “Every 5 minutes” or “Daily at 04:00”.
Step 2
Check meaning
The plain-language explanation and the next three run times show whether the schedule is correct. If a value is invalid, an error message appears instead.
Step 3
Copy expression
Use “Copy” to copy the completed cron expression to your clipboard.
Step 4
Add to crontab
Open your crontab on your server with crontab -e, paste the expression, and add the command after it, such as /usr/bin/backup.sh. Then check the entry with crontab -l.
Examples
Common cron expressions: every 5 minutes, hourly, daily
The descriptions in the right column come from the same plain-language explanation shown in the tool above. You can enter each expression into the generator field by field.
| Cron expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| */5 * * * * | Every 5 minutes |
| */10 * * * * | Every 10 minutes |
| */15 * * * * | Every 15 minutes |
| 0 * * * * | At minute 0 of every hour |
| 0 */6 * * * | At minute 0, every 6 hours |
| 0 0 * * * | At 00:00 |
| 0 4 * * * | At 04:00 |
| 0 0 * * 1 | At 00:00, on Monday |
| 0 9 * * 1-5 | At 09:00, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday |
| 0 0 1 * * | At 00:00, on day 1 of the month |
On the server
From cron expression to complete crontab entry
The generator creates the five time fields. Add the command to run after them in your crontab.
Edit and check your crontab
crontab -e opens your crontab in an editor. Paste the copied expression, add the command, and save. Then crontab -l shows all your cron jobs.
crontab -e 30 4 * * * /usr/bin/backup.sh >> /var/log/backup.log 2>&1 crontab -l
If your cron job doesn't run
- Use absolute paths: cron starts with a limited PATH variable, so write /usr/bin/php instead of just php.
- Make the script executable: Without execute permission (e.g. chmod +x skript.sh), cron won't start the script.
- Log output: Add >> /var/log/job.log 2>&1 after the command to send output and errors to a log file.
- Check the time zone: Cron uses the server's system time, while the tool's preview uses your browser's time zone.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Crontab Generator
Quick answers about cron syntax, schedules, and the crontab on your server.
Enter the minute, hour, day, month, and weekday in the five fields, or select a preset. Check the plain-language explanation and the next three runs, copy the expression, and open crontab -e on your server. Paste the expression there and add the command after it. The generator creates only the five time fields, not the command.
Minute (0–59), hour (0–23), day of month (1–31), month (1–12), and day of week (0–7, where 0 and 7 mean Sunday), followed by the command. For example, 30 4 * * * /usr/bin/backup.sh runs /usr/bin/backup.sh daily at 04:30. The tool flags values outside these ranges as errors.
An asterisk (*) means every valid value, a comma specifies a list (0,30), a hyphen specifies a range (1-5 for weekdays = Monday to Friday), and a slash specifies a step (*/15 = every 15 minutes). The fields accept only digits and these four characters.
Every 5 minutes: */5 * * * * is the tool's default and the “Every 5 minutes” preset. For every 10 minutes, enter */10 in the Minute field. Hourly: 0 * * * * (“Every hour” preset). Daily at 04:00: 0 4 * * * (“Daily at 04:00” preset). Change the time using the Minute and Hour fields.
No. The tool builds standard five-field cron expressions used by Linux crontab and accepts only numbers, *, commas, hyphens, and slashes. Other input triggers an error message. For shorthand forms, use their equivalents: @hourly = 0 * * * *, @daily = 0 0 * * *, @weekly = 0 0 * * 0, @monthly = 0 0 1 * *. There is no time-field equivalent for @reboot, and you must adapt Quartz or Spring expressions that include a seconds field.
In the system time zone of the server running the cron daemon—not necessarily your own time zone. The “Next runs” preview in this tool uses your browser’s time zone, so keep that in mind when comparing it with your server. Go to the time zone converter
The conditions are combined with OR: the job runs when EITHER condition matches, not only when both match. So 0 0 1 * 1 runs at midnight on the 1st of every month and every Monday. Exception: if one of the two fields starts with an asterisk, for example */2, both must match. So 0 0 */2 * 1 only runs on odd-numbered days that are a Monday. This is how cron works on Linux (Vixie cron and cronie), and it is also how the generator calculates the next runs.
No. The tool calculates the explanation and upcoming runs directly in your browser; nothing is sent or saved. The Crontab Generator is free and requires no sign-up.
Any more questions?
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