utilkit

Cron Expression Tool

Explain cron expressions in plain English, preview upcoming runs, and generate Unix, seconds, or Quartz cron schedules.

Field builder

Updates the expression above

Next runs

    How to use this cron expression tool

    1. Enter a cron expression or build one field by field.
    2. Choose the exact format when you know it, or leave detection on auto.
    3. Read the plain-English summary to catch obvious schedule mistakes.
    4. Check the next run times before pasting the expression into a job scheduler.

    Cron formats supported

    This tool supports standard 5-field Unix cron, 6-field expressions with seconds, and Quartz-style 6-field expressions with ? for day-of-month or day-of-week. It handles common wildcards, ranges, lists, steps, month names, and weekday names in the browser.

    How cron schedules are interpreted

    The tool normalizes the expression into seconds, minutes, hours, day-of-month, month, day-of-week, and optional year fields. It then turns the schedule into a plain-English explanation and calculates upcoming run times from the browser's current timezone.

    Cron expression FAQ

    Why does timezone matter for cron?
    Cron expressions describe calendar fields, not elapsed durations. The next run times shown here use your browser's timezone, while your server or scheduler may run in a different timezone.
    What is the difference between Unix and Quartz cron?
    Unix cron commonly uses five fields and starts with minutes. Quartz cron includes seconds and may include a year field, plus the ? placeholder for day fields.
    Should I trust the description or the next run list more?
    Use both. The description helps you understand the schedule, while the next run list is the practical check before using the expression.

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