GitHub Actions Cron Expression Generator
This page covers the cron syntax used by GitHub Actions: field layout, day-of-week numbering, and which special characters it supports.
Quick Reference
Field count
5
Seconds field
No
Year field
No
Timezone
Always UTC
Special characters (L / #)
No
Requires "?"
No
Day-of-week numbering
Sun=0, Mon=1, Tue=2, Wed=3, Thu=4, Fri=5, Sat=6
Common GitHub Actions Cron Expressions
| Every 5 minutes | */5 * * * * |
| Every 15 minutes | */15 * * * * |
| Every hour | 0 * * * * |
| Daily at midnight | 0 0 * * * |
| Daily at 9:00 AM | 0 9 * * * |
| Every weekday at 9:00 AM | 0 9 * * 1-5 |
| Every Monday at 9:00 AM | 0 9 * * 1 |
| Twice a day (00:00 and 12:00) | 0 */12 * * * |
| First day of every month | 0 0 1 * * |
| Last day of every month | Not natively supported |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GitHub Actions different from standard Linux cron?
GitHub Actions uses the exact same 5-field syntax and day-of-week numbering as standard Linux cron — existing expressions work unchanged.
Can I convert a Linux cron expression to GitHub Actions automatically?
Yes — paste it into the multi-platform Cron tool above (or on the main Cron Editor page) and switch to the GitHub Actions tab to get the equivalent expression instantly.
Does GitHub Actions support L, W, or # ?
No. GitHub Actions doesn't support L or # — see the workaround pattern in the tool above for equivalent behavior using a day range and an in-script check.
Does GitHub Actions run on my local timezone or UTC?
GitHub Actions always evaluates schedules in UTC, regardless of where you or your servers are located.
What's the shortest interval GitHub Actions supports?
GitHub Actions runs at a minimum interval of 5 minutes; more frequent schedules may be delayed or skipped under load.