# Run a Cron Job Every 6 Hours

> The cron expression for every 6 hours is 0 */6 * * *. See when it fires, what each field means, and how to move the anchor times.

```
0 */6 * * *
```

In plain English: At minute 0, every 6 hours.

0 */6 * * * fires four times a day: 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00. It's the standard cadence for backup rotations, certificate checks, and feeds that should stay fresh without hourly churn.

## Field by field

| Field | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Minute | `0` | 0 |
| Hour | `*/6` | every 6 hours |
| Day of month | `*` | every day |
| Month | `*` | every month |
| Day of week | `*` | every weekday |

## Variations

- `0 3-21/6 * * *` — four times daily at 03:00, 09:00, 15:00, 21:00
- `0 0,6,12,18 * * *` — the explicit-list equivalent of */6
- `0 */12 * * *` — reduce to twice a day

## FAQ

### Which hours does */6 hit?

Starting from 0: hours 0, 6, 12, and 18. If you need different anchors, list them explicitly (0 2,8,14,20 * * *) or shift the range (2-20/6).

### Is every 6 hours the same in every timezone?

The expression always evaluates in the scheduler's timezone. On a UTC server, 0 */6 means 00/06/12/18 UTC — check what zone your crontab or CI runner uses before assuming local time.

## Related schedules

- [0 */2 * * * — Run a Cron Job Every 2 Hours](https://www.devkult.com/cron/every-2-hours.md)
- [0 */12 * * * — Run a Cron Job Every 12 Hours (Twice a Day)](https://www.devkult.com/cron/every-12-hours.md)
- [0 0 * * * — Run a Cron Job Every Day at Midnight](https://www.devkult.com/cron/every-day-at-midnight.md)

Open the interactive page: https://www.devkult.com/cron/every-6-hours