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Cron Job Maker

Generate cron expressions with presets, validation, and human-friendly explanations for common Linux and Unix schedules.

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Cron Job Maker

Build a Linux or Unix cron expression and review a plain-language summary.

Generated expression
0 2 * * *
Human readable

Calculating schedule...

Next runs

    Five-field Unix cron: minute 0-59, hour 0-23, day 1-31, month 1-12, weekday 0-7 (Sunday 0 or 7). Previews use cron-parser daylight-saving rules; confirm your scheduler's behavior around clock changes. This tool does not schedule jobs.

    Timezone check

    Choose the scheduler timezone for all previews. Dates are calculated from the time you edit or refresh the schedule.

    Crontab line builder

    Add the command the scheduler should run, with an optional interpreter preset, then copy the complete crontab line.

    0 2 * * *

    How to use it

    1. Choose a preset or edit all five numeric Unix cron fields.
    2. Expand Timezone check and choose the timezone used by your scheduler.
    3. Read the next three dates, then copy the valid expression. Use Refresh next runs to recalculate from now.
    What is Cron Job Maker?

    Generate cron expressions with presets, validation, and human-friendly explanations for common Linux and Unix schedules.

    How it works

    SiteIndex validates five numeric Unix cron fields and uses cron-parser locally to calculate the next three actual run dates in the selected IANA timezone. Lists, ranges, and steps are supported. UTC is the default; dates refresh when you edit the schedule or request a refresh. No jobs are scheduled.

    Example input and expected output

    Input

    */5 * * * * (UTC), reference 2026-01-01 00:05:00Z

    Expected output

    2026-01-01 00:10:00Z, 00:15:00Z, 00:20:00Z
    Common uses
    • Build a valid cron expression from a preset schedule.
    • Understand what an existing cron expression means in plain language.
    • Check what time a server-timezone schedule corresponds to in your local time.
    Limitations
    • Numeric five-field Unix syntax only; six-field seconds, Quartz syntax, named months/weekdays, and last-day L syntax are not supported.
    • Day 31 skips months without 31 days; it is not a last-day-of-every-month schedule.
    • Daylight-saving behavior follows cron-parser and may differ from the scheduler where you install the expression.
    Frequently asked questions
    Do next-run previews support ranges and steps?
    Yes. All five fields are evaluated together, including lists, ranges, and steps. The preview shows three actual dates, not a fixed-minute approximation.
    Which timezone is used?
    UTC is selected initially. Choose the scheduler's IANA timezone in the Timezone check panel; the next date is also shown in your device timezone and UTC.
    What if both day fields are restricted?
    Traditional Unix cron OR semantics apply: either the day-of-month or day-of-week restriction may match, while the month, hour, and minute constraints must still match.
    What happens at daylight-saving changes?
    The preview follows cron-parser's timezone and daylight-saving behavior. Scheduler implementations can differ around skipped and repeated hours; verify against the service that will run the job.
    Does this tool schedule or execute jobs?
    No. It generates and previews expressions locally. Install the expression in your actual scheduler and refresh the preview when you need current future dates.

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