Convert Crontab to English

The Convert Crontab to English Tool helps you understand complex cron expressions by translating them into plain, readable English. Whether you’re reviewing a server’s scheduled tasks or debugging a cron job, this tool makes it easy to decode crontab syntax without memorizing all the rules.

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Supported file types: .txt, .csv, .log, .json, .xml, .md, .html, .htm, .yaml, .yml, .ini
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How to Use:

  1. Enter Crontab Lines: Paste one or more crontab expressions into the input box, each on its own line.
    Example: 0 5 * * *
  2. Live Preview: The tool will immediately convert each cron string into a clear English explanation.
  3. Import Files: Use the Choose File button to load crontab entries from a file (e.g., .txt, .csv, .log).
  4. Copy or Export: Click Copy Output to copy the results or Export to File to download the translated entries.
  5. Clear All: Reset both input and output boxes with the Clear All button.

What Convert Crontab to English Tool can do:

  • Translates standard 5-part cron expressions to English descriptions like “Runs every day at 5:00 AM”
  • Highlights minute intervals (e.g. */10 * * * * → “every 10 minutes”)
  • Converts day-of-week numbers to names (e.g. 1 → “Monday”)
  • Handles multiple entries at once and shows results instantly
  • Flags invalid cron formats clearly as Invalid crontab format

Example:

Input:

0 5 * * *
0 15 * * 1
*/10 * * * *

Output:

Runs at minute 0 at 5:00 AM
Runs at minute 0 at 3:00 PM on Monday
Runs every 10 minutes

Common Use Cases:

This tool is ideal for system administrators, developers, or DevOps engineers who manage scheduled tasks and need a fast way to interpret crontab syntax. Instead of looking up cron rules or using a manual converter, you can instantly view and share human-readable translations of any cron schedule.

Useful Tools & Suggestions:

Once you’ve got your schedule translated, Convert English to Crontab lets you flip it right back into code. And if you want to test when something actually runs, Generate a Time Sequence can help visualize how it plays out.

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