Cron Every X Minutes: Expressions and Examples
Use step values in the minute field to run tasks at regular intervals. Here are the most common patterns, with copy-ready examples.
Quick Reference
Every 2 minutes
*/2 * * * *
Runs every 2 minutes
Every 5 minutes
*/5 * * * *
Runs every 5 minutes
Every 10 minutes
*/10 * * * *
Runs every 10 minutes
Every 15 minutes
*/15 * * * *
Runs every 15 minutes
Every 30 minutes
*/30 * * * *
Runs every 30 minutes
Examples
- Every 5 minutes only on weekdays:
*/5 * * * 1-5 - Every 15 minutes during business hours:
*/15 9-17 * * 1-5 - Every 30 minutes at night:
*/30 0-6 * * *
Tips & Pitfalls
- Use UTC on servers for predictable scheduling; convert display times with the Timezone Converter.
- Avoid overlapping jobs by adding locking or using a queue.
- For uneven intervals, consider systemd timers (
OnCalendar) or a workflow engine.