Run a Cron Job Every 7 Minutes
You can write */7 * * * * to run roughly every 7 minutes, but be aware: 7 does not divide evenly into 60, so the gap resets at the top of each hour. The run times are 0,7,14,21,28,35,42,49,56 — then 60 (the next 0) is only 4 minutes after 56.
What */7 really does
*/7 * * * * fires at minutes 0,7,14,21,28,35,42,49,56 within each hour, then restarts at 0 the next hour. Because 56→60 is only 4 minutes, the cadence is not a perfectly even 7-minute gap across hour boundaries.
If you need a true fixed interval
Cron can only align to clock minutes within the hour. For an exact every-7-minutes cadence that ignores hour boundaries, run the job every minute and gate it in your script, or use a systemd timer with OnUnitActiveSec=7min.
Explicit minute list
If the hour-boundary reset is fine, you can also spell it out: 0,7,14,21,28,35,42,49,56 * * * * — identical to */7 but clearer to readers.
FAQ
What is the cron expression for every 7 minutes?
*/7 * * * * fires at minutes 0,7,14,...,56 each hour. Note it resets at the top of the hour, so the 56-to-0 gap is only 4 minutes.
Does */7 give an even 7-minute interval?
Not across hour boundaries. 7 doesn't divide 60, so after minute 56 the next run is at 0 — a 4-minute gap. Within an hour the gaps are 7 minutes.
How do I run something exactly every 7 minutes?
Use a systemd timer with OnUnitActiveSec=7min, or run every minute and track elapsed time in your script. Plain cron can't span hour boundaries evenly.