// how it works
How 0 */6 * * * Works
0 */6 * * * fires four times per day. */6 in the hour field steps through 0–23 in increments of 6: 0, 6, 12, 18. The 0 in the minute field pins the run to the top of the hour.
Common uses: database backups, bulk email dispatches, log rotation, long-running report generation.
Field Breakdown
| Field | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Minute | 0 | At minute zero |
| Hour | */6 | Every 6th hour (0, 6, 12, 18) |
| Day of month | * | Every day |
| Month | * | Every month |
| Weekday | * | Every day of week |
// next scheduled runs (UTC)
Next 10 Run Times
Approximate run times starting from the current date. Open in the builder to see exact run times in your timezone.
00:00
06:00
12:00
18:00
00:00 (next day)
06:00 (next day)
12:00 (next day)
18:00 (next day)
00:00 (+2 days)
06:00 (+2 days)
// copy-paste ready examples
Platform Examples
Linux / Unix crontab
0 */6 * * * /path/to/script.shGitHub Actions
on:
schedule:
- cron: '0 */6 * * *'AWS EventBridge
cron(0 */6 * * ? *)Kubernetes CronJob
spec:
schedule: "0 */6 * * *"node-cron (Node.js)
cron.schedule('0 */6 * * *', () => { ... });APScheduler (Python)
scheduler.add_job(fn, 'cron', hour='*/6', minute=0)// related expressions
Related Cron Expressions
// frequently asked questions
FAQ
What does 0 */6 * * * mean?
It means: at minute 0, every 6th hour. This fires at 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00 every day.
How do I run a cron job every 12 hours?
Use 0 */12 * * * — this fires at midnight and noon every day.
How do I run a cron job every 4 hours?
Use 0 */4 * * * — this fires at 00:00, 04:00, 08:00, 12:00, 16:00, and 20:00.
Build or explain any cron expression
Use the free visual builder — paste an expression for a plain-English explanation, or click your way to a schedule. See the next 10 run times. No login.
Open CronBuilder →