What is the cron expression for every 2 days?

The expression 0 0 */2 * * runs on odd-numbered days (1, 3, 5, ..., 31). Note this is day-of-month based, not a true 48-hour interval.

Does */2 in the day field mean every other day?

Approximately. It runs on odd-numbered days of the month. The gap between month boundaries may be shorter than 2 days.

Cron Every 2 Days

0 0 */2 * *

On day 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th, 31st of every month at 12:00 AM

Next 10 Executions

Times shown in UTC

Tue, May 19, 202600:00
Thu, May 21, 202600:00
Sat, May 23, 202600:00
Mon, May 25, 202600:00
Wed, May 27, 202600:00
Fri, May 29, 202600:00
Sun, May 31, 202600:00
Mon, Jun 1, 202600:00
Wed, Jun 3, 202600:00
Fri, Jun 5, 202600:00

Field Breakdown

0

Minute

0

Hour

*/2

Day of Month

Every 2 days

*

Month

Every month

*

Day of Week

Every day of week

About This Schedule

The cron expression 0 0 */2 * * runs a job every 2nd day of the month at midnight — on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and so on. Note that this is based on the day-of-month number, not a true "every 48 hours" interval.

Because months have different lengths, the gap between the last execution (e.g., the 31st) and the first of the next month (the 1st) may be only 1 day, not 2. For a true every-other-day schedule, you may need a wrapper script that tracks the last run.

For most practical purposes, */2 in the day field provides a close-enough approximation of every other day.