Cron Expression Builder
Assemble a standard 5-field cron schedule from simple dropdowns, or translate an existing expression into plain English.
How to build a cron expression
- Choose Build expression or Parse expression.
- In build mode, pick a value for each of the five fields.
- Copy the joined cron string for your scheduler.
- Or paste an existing expression to read it in English.
FAQs
What are the five cron fields?
They are, in order: 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 an asterisk mean?
An asterisk means "every" for that field. So "0 * * * *" runs at minute 0 of every hour of every day.
Why does it reject 6-field cron?
Some systems add a leading seconds field. This tool works with the standard 5-field format, which covers the vast majority of schedulers.
Is the tool free?
Yes. Every Handio tool is free and runs entirely in your browser, so your schedules never leave your device.
Related Tools
Why use a cron builder?
Cron syntax is terse and easy to get wrong. Building schedules from dropdowns removes the guesswork, and parsing an expression into English lets you confirm what a schedule actually does.
- Create a schedule without memorizing field order.
- Decode an inherited cron string before editing it.
- Spot mistakes in a schedule before it runs in production.
Tips and Limits
This is a simplified translator for common patterns such as exact values, asterisks, steps, lists and ranges. Exotic expressions may show the raw value instead of a polished sentence. Everything runs locally in your browser.