Chmod Calculator
Calculate Unix file permissions in symbolic and numeric notation
Read (r) | Write (w) | Execute (x) | Octal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | 7 | |||
| Group | 5 | |||
| Others | 5 |
| Symbolic | Octal | Permission Description |
|---|---|---|
| r | 4 | Read |
| w | 2 | Write |
| x | 1 | Execute |
| rw- | 6 | Read + Write |
| r-x | 5 | Read + Execute |
| rwx | 7 | Read + Write + Execute |
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How to Use
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Unix File Permissions: Understanding chmod and Access Control
Key Takeaways
- Unix permissions use three octal digits representing read (4), write (2), and execute (1) for owner, group, and others.
- Incorrect file permissions are a leading cause of security vulnerabilities in web servers and application deployments.
- All permission calculations happen in your browser — no system information is accessed or transmitted.
Unix file permissions control who can read, write, and execute files and directories on Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like systems. The chmod command and its numeric notation are essential knowledge for system administrators, DevOps engineers, and anyone deploying web applications. Incorrect permissions can either lock out legitimate access or expose sensitive files to unauthorized users.
Overly permissive file permissions (777) are cited in over 20% of web server compromise investigations.
Security Impact
Key Concepts
Permission Triplets
Each file has three permission sets: owner (u), group (g), and others (o). Each set can have read (r=4), write (w=2), and execute (x=1). The sum gives the octal digit: rwx = 7, rw- = 6, r-x = 5.
Symbolic vs. Numeric Mode
Symbolic: chmod u+x file (add execute for owner). Numeric: chmod 755 file (rwx for owner, rx for group and others). Numeric mode sets all permissions at once; symbolic mode modifies specific bits.
Directory Permissions
For directories, read (r) allows listing contents, write (w) allows creating/deleting files, and execute (x) allows entering the directory. A common secure setting is 755 for directories and 644 for files.
Special Permissions
SUID (4xxx) runs a file as its owner. SGID (2xxx) runs as its group or inherits group on directories. Sticky bit (1xxx) on directories prevents users from deleting others' files (used on /tmp).
Pro Tips
Use 644 (-rw-r--r--) for regular files and 755 (drwxr-xr-x) for directories as your secure default.
Never use 777 in production — it allows anyone to read, write, and execute. Find a more restrictive permission that meets your needs.
Web server files should be owned by the web server user (www-data, nginx) with 640 or 644 permissions.
Use umask to set default permissions for newly created files — a umask of 022 results in 755 for directories and 644 for files.
All permission calculations are performed entirely in your browser. No system files or permissions are accessed or modified. This tool is for calculation and education purposes only.