Cron Expression: Every 2 Hours
The expression is 0 */2 * * *. Paste it above to read it in English and preview the next local run times.
The expression
0 */2 * * * runs a job every 2 hours on the hour: 00:00, 02:00, 04:00 … 22:00.
Field by field
The 0 minute pins it to the top of the hour. */2 in the hour field is a step — “every 2nd hour” of the 0–23 range.
Why the leading 0 matters
Without it (* */2 * * *) the job would run every minute for a whole hour, every other hour — almost never what you want.
Common variations
Every 3 hours: 0 */3 * * *. Every 2 hours during the day: 0 8-20/2 * * *.
FAQ
How many times a day does 0 */2 * * * run?
12 times — every other hour, on the hour.
Why do I need the 0 in the minute field?
It fixes the run to :00. Leaving it as * would fire every minute during the chosen hours.
How do I run every 2 hours only between 8am and 8pm?
Use 0 8-20/2 * * * to step through 8,10,12,14,16,18,20.