How can I execute a cron job twice daily at midnight and 13:30?

Use two lines: 0 0 * * * for midnight and 30 13 * * * for 13:30. A combined 0,30 0,13 * * * fires four times a day: cron pairs every minute with every hour.

How do I set up a cron job that runs every day at 1PM, 2PM and 3PM?

Use 0 13,14,15 * * *: an hour list runs at 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00 daily. 0 13-15 * * * is the equivalent range; different minutes need separate lines.

How can I set up a cron job to run every night at 2:30? I am familiar with configuring it to run at 2:00, but not 2:30.

Use 30 2 * * *: minute comes before hour in cron, so 2:30 AM is 30 2, not 2 30. For 2:30 PM use 30 14. The run happens in the scheduler's timezone.

I am trying to create a Cron expression that runs every d… - Cron answer & example

Q: I am trying to create a Cron expression that runs every day at 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM. I understand how to create an expression that runs once a day, but not at multiple set times.

Use two lines: 0 8 * * * for 08:00 and 30 15 * * * for 15:30. Cron pairs every listed minute with every listed hour, so 0,30 8,15 would run four times.

Question

I am trying to create a Cron expression that runs every day at 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM. I understand how to create an expression that runs once a day, but not at multiple set times.

Answer

Use two cron entries: one for 8:00 AM and one for 3:30 PM. Standard cron treats the minute and hour fields independently, so it cannot pair minute 0 only with hour 8 and minute 30 only with hour 15 in a single expression. Separate entries preserve the two exact clock times and run the same command once at each time every day.

crontab

# every day at 8:00 AM
0 8 * * *

crontab

# every day at 3:30 PM
30 15 * * *

Read each five-field expression as minute, hour, day of month, month, and day of week. In 0 8 * * *, minute 0 is the top of the hour and hour 8 is 08:00. In 30 15 * * *, minute 30 is half past and hour 15 is 3:00 PM in 24-hour time, producing 15:30. The three wildcards match every day of the month, every month, and every day of the week. If two daily times share the same minute, such as 08:00 and 15:00, one entry is enough: 0 8,15 * * *. Different minute-and-hour pairs require separate entries.

Run 0 8 * * * on Crontap

Why this matters

Combining these times incorrectly creates extra runs. For example, 0,30 8,15 * * * forms a cross-product of both minute values and both hour values. It fires at 08:00, 08:30, 15:00, and 15:30 instead of only twice. Those unintended runs can duplicate reports, notifications, imports, or other side effects. One expression per distinct minute-and-hour pair avoids the double fire and makes each scheduled time unambiguous.

Read the dedicated guide: Cron twice a day.

Cron schedules used

What it does

0 8 * * * — command

At 08:00, every day.

Run in Crontap Cheatsheet

30 15 * * * — command

At 15:30, every day.

Run in Crontap Cheatsheet

See this cron expression on the calendar view example

Cron every day at 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM

What it does

Point Crontap at any URL. Pick any cron. Done.

What it does

Related questions

I am trying to create a Cron expression that runs every day at 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM. I understand how to create an expression that runs once a day, but not at multiple set times.

How can I execute a cron job twice daily at midnight and 13:30?

How do I set up a cron job that runs every day at 1PM, 2PM and 3PM?

How can I set up a cron job to run every night at 2:30? I am familiar with configuring it to run at 2:00, but not 2:30.

Related cron questions

How can I execute a cron job twice daily at midnight and 13:30?

How do I set up a cron job that runs every day at 1PM, 2PM and 3PM?

How can I set up a cron job to run every night at 2:30? I am familiar with configuring it to run at 2:00, but not 2:30.

How do I set a cron job to run twice a week (bi-weekly)?

Point Crontap at any URL. Pick any cron. Done.