Hours
Every 3 Hours Cron Expression
Run a cron job every 3 hours with 0 */3 * * *.
Cron expression
0 */3 * * *Plain English explanation
Runs every 3 hours.
Field breakdown
FieldValueMeaningAllowed
Minute
0
At minute 0
0-59
Hour
*/3
Every 3 hours
0-23
Day of Month
*
Every day of the month
1-31
Month
*
Every month
1-12
Day of Week
*
Every day of the week
0-7, where 0 or 7 is Sunday
Use case
Useful for periodic imports, digest preparation, or background reconciliation.
FAQ
What does this cron expression mean?
Runs every 3 hours.
Can I use this in Linux crontab?
Yes. This is a standard Linux 5-field cron expression when used with a normal crontab command.
Does this work in GitHub Actions?
Usually yes for 5-field syntax, but GitHub Actions schedules run in UTC and may be delayed during high load.
How can I change the time?
Edit the minute and hour fields, or open the expression in the Cron Generator or Playground.
How can I test this expression?
Use the Cron Validator to check syntax and the Next Run Calculator to preview upcoming executions.