GitHub Actions Cron Explainer
Paste a five-field cron expression and see what GitHub Actions will run next in UTC and local time.
Also useful for: github actions cron github actions schedule cron github workflow cron GitHub Actions Cron Explainer
GitHub Actions Cron Explainer
Runs in your browser. Inputs are not uploaded.GitHub Actions Cron Explainer Example Run
Preview a weekday scheduled workflow in UTC.
Sample inputs Cron expression: 17 */6 * * 1-5 Generated result Summary: 8 upcoming runs previewed. No issues found. Stats - Next Runs: 8 Issues - No issues found. Output Schedule Runs at 00:17, 06:17, 12:17, and 18:17 UTC on Monday through Friday. Timezone GitHub Actions evaluates scheduled workflows in UTC. Local times below use this browser's timezone. Fields - Minute: 17 minutes past the hour - Hour: every 6 hours - Day of month: any calendar day - Month: every month - Day of week: Monday through Friday Next runs 1. Today at 12:17 PM UTC local (Mon, May 18, 12:17 PM UTC) 2. Today at 6:17 PM UTC local (Mon, May 18, 6:17 PM UTC) 3. Tomorrow at 12:17 AM UTC local (Tue, May 19, 12:17 AM UTC) 4. Tomorrow at 6:17 AM UTC local (Tue, May 19, 6:17 AM UTC) 5. Tomorrow at 12:17 PM UTC local (Tue, May 19, 12:17 PM UTC) 6. Tomorrow at 6:17 PM UTC local (Tue, May 19, 6:17 PM UTC) 7. Wed, May 20 at 12:17 AM UTC local (Wed, May 20, 12:17 AM UTC) 8. Wed, May 20 at 6:17 AM UTC local (Wed, May 20, 6:17 AM UTC)
What the GitHub Actions Cron Explainer Checks
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Five-field cron syntax
GitHub Actions uses minute, hour, day of month, month, and day of week fields.
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Ranges, steps, lists, and wildcards
Common cron patterns such as */6, 1-5, and comma-separated values are expanded for the preview.
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UTC scheduling
The explanation calls out UTC so local-time assumptions are visible before you commit a workflow.
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Upcoming run preview
The tool calculates the next scheduled matches instead of only translating the expression into words.
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GitHub caveats
Service delays and top-of-hour load caveats are presented as practical notes, not ignored.
GitHub Actions Cron Explainer Questions
- Q: Does the GitHub Actions cron explainer upload my schedule? A: No. Inputs are processed in your browser, and pasted content is not sent to analytics or a server.
- Q: What should I paste into the GitHub Actions cron explainer? A: Paste a five-field cron expression from an on.schedule workflow entry.
- Q: What can I copy or download? A: You can copy the plain-English explanation and next-run preview.
- Q: What does the GitHub Actions cron explainer not verify? A: It does not inspect your repository, workflow permissions, disabled schedules, or GitHub service load at runtime.
Related Tools
Updates
- v1.0.0 New 2026-05-17: Initial cron parser, explanation, and next-run preview added.