Every 2 hours in cron

The hour step counts from 0, so */2 selects the even hours. If you want the odd hours instead, give the step a starting point: 0 1-23/2 * * * runs at 01:00, 03:00 … 23:00.

Steps in the hour field reset at midnight. */5 in the hour field gives 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and then 0 again, so the last gap of the day is four hours, not five.

Field by field

Next run times

Computed in your browser from the current time, so you can check the schedule against a clock you trust.

Variations

• 0 1-23/2 * * *every 2 hours on odd hours · try it
• 0 */6 * * *every 6 hours · see page
• 15 */2 * * *every 2 hours at a quarter past · try it

Where this expression works

• Linux and macOS crontab: as written; times follow the system timezone.
• Kubernetes CronJob: the same five fields; UTC unless spec.timeZone is set.
• GitHub Actions: the same syntax in UTC, minimum interval five minutes, no @ shortcuts.
• AWS EventBridge: a different six-field syntax; do not paste this expression unchanged.

Full platform comparison · Cron tutorial

FAQ