Format: minute hour day month weekday (e.g., "0 12 * * 1" = Every Monday at 12:00 PM)
Human-Readable Description
Field Breakdown
| Field | Value | Meaning |
|---|
Cron Expression Parser
How It Works
- Step 1: Enter cron expression with 5 fields (minute hour day month weekday) like "0 2 * * *" or 6 fields with seconds for more precise scheduling.
- Step 2: The parser validates syntax checking for valid ranges (0-59 minutes, 0-23 hours, 1-31 days, 1-12 months, 0-6 weekdays) and special characters (*, /, -, ,).
- Step 3: Translates each field into human-readable description—"0 2 * * *" becomes "At 2:00 AM every day"—and explains special syntax like */15 (every 15 units).
- Step 4: Calculates next 5-10 execution times based on current date/time, showing exact timestamps when the cron job will run for schedule verification.
Manual vs Automated Cron Parsing
| Feature | Manual Interpretation | AI-Powered Parser |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding Speed | Minutes to decode complex expressions | Instant human-readable translation |
| Accuracy | Easy to misread step values or ranges | Precise field-by-field validation |
| Next Run Calculation | Manual date math with timezone errors | Automatic calculation with timezone support |
| Syntax Validation | Trial and error in crontab | Immediate syntax error detection |
| Learning Curve | Requires memorizing cron syntax rules | Examples and templates provided |
| Testing | Wait for actual execution to verify | Preview next 10 execution times instantly |
Cron Parsing Examples
Example: Cron Expression Translation
0 2 * * *
*/15 * * * *
0 0 1 * *
0 9-17 * * 1-5
30 2 * * 0Expression: 0 2 * * *
Translation: At 2:00 AM every day
Next runs:
- 2024-12-19 02:00:00
- 2024-12-20 02:00:00
- 2024-12-21 02:00:00
Expression: */15 * * * *
Translation: Every 15 minutes
Next runs:
- 2024-12-18 10:15:00
- 2024-12-18 10:30:00
- 2024-12-18 10:45:00
Expression: 0 0 1 * *
Translation: At midnight on the 1st of every month
Next runs:
- 2025-01-01 00:00:00
- 2025-02-01 00:00:00
Expression: 0 9-17 * * 1-5
Translation: At minute 0 of every hour from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday
Next runs:
- 2024-12-18 11:00:00 (Wed)
- 2024-12-18 12:00:00 (Wed)
Expression: 30 2 * * 0
Translation: At 2:30 AM every Sunday
Next runs:
- 2024-12-22 02:30:00 (Sun)
- 2024-12-29 02:30:00 (Sun)Key Changes:
The parser decodes cron syntax into plain English, making complex schedules immediately understandable. The expression '0 2 * * *' uses asterisks as wildcards meaning 'every' for day, month, and weekday fields. The */15 syntax uses step values—run every 15th minute (0, 15, 30, 45). Range syntax 9-17 specifies hours 9 AM through 5 PM inclusive, while 1-5 represents Monday through Friday (0=Sunday, 6=Saturday). The parser calculates actual execution times accounting for timezone, month lengths (28-31 days), and weekday logic. This prevents cron misconfigurations like scheduling backups during business hours or missing maintenance windows. DevOps teams use this to verify deployment schedules, database backup timing, and automated task execution before committing crontab entries to production servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cron expression?
A cron expression is a string of 5 or 6 fields that define a schedule for running automated tasks. It specifies minute, hour, day of month, month, and day of week, allowing precise control over when jobs execute.
How does the cron parser work?
The parser analyzes cron expressions and translates them into human-readable descriptions. It shows what each field means, calculates the next scheduled run times, and helps you understand complex cron syntax.
What cron formats are supported?
The parser supports standard 5-field cron expressions (minute, hour, day, month, weekday) and extended 6-field expressions with seconds. It handles special characters like *, /, -, and , for complex schedules.
Can I see next run times?
Yes, the parser calculates and displays the next several scheduled run times based on your cron expression. This helps you verify that your schedule will execute when expected.
Is my data secure?
Yes, all cron parsing happens entirely in your browser. Your cron expressions are never sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.
Can I generate cron expressions?
Yes, the tool provides common cron expression examples that you can use as templates. You can also modify and test expressions to create custom schedules for your needs.