Cron Expression for Every 5 Minutes
The cron expression */5 * * * * runs every 5 minutes. Perfect for frequent monitoring, data collection, and automated tasks that need to execute regularly.
Cron Expression
Format: minute hour day month weekday (e.g., "*/5 * * * *" for every 5 minutes)
About This Schedule
Expression: */5 * * * *
Frequency: Every 5 minutes, 24/7
Common Uses:
- System monitoring and health checks
- Data backup and synchronization
- Log file rotation and cleanup
- Cache invalidation and updates
- API rate limiting and quota management
Note: This is a high-frequency schedule. Make sure your tasks complete quickly to avoid overlapping executions.
Results
Enter a cron expression to see the results here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this run exactly every 5 minutes?
Yes, this cron expression runs at minutes 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 of every hour. It maintains a precise 5-minute interval.
Can tasks overlap if they take longer than 5 minutes?
Yes, if a task takes longer than 5 minutes to complete, a new instance will start before the previous one finishes. Use job locking or task queues to prevent overlapping executions.
Is this schedule suitable for production environments?
Yes, but ensure your tasks are efficient. Running every 5 minutes equals 288 executions per day, so monitor resource usage and consider less frequent schedules if appropriate.
What timezone does this cron expression use?
Cron expressions run in the server's timezone. If you need specific timezone behavior, configure your cron service or use time-aware scheduling tools.
Practical Examples
Health Check Monitoring
Check application health and send alerts if services are down.
Cache Refresh
Update application cache with fresh data from the database.
Log Processing
Process and aggregate logs for real-time analytics.
Common Issues & Solutions
If tasks are taking longer than 5 minutes, implement job locking using flock or a distributed lock service to prevent overlapping executions.
High-frequency schedules can increase server load. Monitor CPU and memory usage, and optimize your scripts for performance.
Ensure log files from frequent executions don't fill up disk space. Implement proper log rotation and cleanup.
Consider using job queues like Redis or RabbitMQ instead of cron for very frequent tasks that require better control and monitoring.