Crassula ovata
Jade plants hold water in thick leaves and stems. They want a good soak followed by a real dry-down, and they sulk in winter if watered as often as in summer.
Short answer: for a jade plant, with the starting settings below (a 6 inch pot with a drainage hole), check the soil about every 6 to 9 days in spring and summer and every 9 to 14 days in winter, and water when the soil is dry all the way through. Give it a full drink until water runs out the bottom.
Your answer
Water when the soil reaches this point
How it shifts through the year
Check the soil about every 6 to 9 days in spring and summer and water only when the soil is dry all the way through. In winter, growth slows and soil stays wet longer, so expect roughly 9 to 14 days between checks. Always confirm with your finger first.
Water slowly until water runs out the drainage holes, then empty the saucer within an hour. The right amount depends on pot size, so go by drainage and how dry the soil is, not a fixed measure. Soak thoroughly, then let the soil dry out completely, and water less in winter.
Wrinkled, slightly soft leaves and dry soil are good signs. Plump firm leaves with damp soil mean it can wait.
Dropping leaves can come from overwatering, underwatering or sudden changes in light. Check the soil and the stem base to tell which.
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Related guides
Estimates use rules of thumb. Always confirm with your finger: push it about an inch into the soil before you water.