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Bee Hive
Cron Parser
Parse and explain cron expressions in human-readable format.
Presets:
Meaning:Every minute
Builder
0-59
0-23
1-31
1-12
0-6
About Cron Parser
The Cron Parser is an essential utility for system administrators and developers who work with automated task scheduling. Cron expressions—compact strings of five or six fields representing time intervals—are the standard way to schedule jobs in Unix-like operating systems and many modern cloud environments. However, their concise syntax can often be cryptic and prone to errors. Our tool takes a complex cron string (e.g., `0 2 * * 1-5`) and translates it into a clear, human-readable sentence (e.g., 'At 02:00 AM, Monday through Friday'). Beyond just translation, the parser provides a detailed breakdown of each field: Minutes, Hours, Day of Month, Month, and Day of Week. It also generates a list of the next several scheduled execution times, allowing you to verify that your task will run exactly when intended. The tool supports standard cron syntax, including special characters like `*` (any), `/` (increments), and `-` (ranges). All parsing logic runs locally in your browser, ensuring that your internal server schedules remain private. Whether you're setting up a daily database backup, an hourly cleanup script, or a complex weekly reporting job, this tool provides the clarity and reliability needed for precise task scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cron expression?
A cron expression is a string representing a schedule for running a command or task at specific intervals. It typically consists of five fields.
How do I read the 5 fields of a cron job?
The standard order is: Minute (0-59), Hour (0-23), Day of Month (1-31), Month (1-12), and Day of Week (0-6, where 0 is Sunday).
What does '*' mean in a cron string?
The asterisk (*) is a wildcard that means 'every' or 'any' value for that specific field.