Chmod Calculator
Calculate Unix file permission chmod values visually.
Permission calculator
Build a CHMOD permission safely
Select read, write, and execute permissions or enter a numeric or symbolic value directly.
Owner / User
The user who owns the file.
Selected digit
7
rwx
Group
Users in the assigned group.
Selected digit
5
r-x
Others / Public
Everyone else on the system.
Selected digit
5
r-x
Use three digits from 0 to 7, such as 644, 755, or 700.
Accepts rw-r--r--, rwxr-xr-x, -rw-r--r--, or drwxr-xr-x.
Numeric CHMOD value
755
Owner digit + group digit + others digit.
Symbolic permission string
rwxr-xr-x
Readable rwx permission format.
chmod command
chmod 755 foldername
Replace the placeholder with your file or folder path.
Permission meaning
Typical
Owner can read, write, execute. Group can read, execute. Others can read, execute.
Risk level
Typical
Permission risk is based on public write access and common patterns.
Copy numeric value
Copy the numeric CHMOD value for documentation, terminal commands, or deployment notes.
Copy symbolic value
Copy the readable rwx permission string for troubleshooting or documentation.
Copy chmod command
Copy a ready-to-edit terminal command using the selected permission value.
Security warning
Use the least permission needed. Avoid public write access for production files and folders.
Accuracy note
This calculator uses standard Unix permission math: read = 4, write = 2, execute = 1.
Recursive chmod warning
Recursive chmod can affect many files and folders at once. Review the path before using chmod -R.
Common permission presets
Pick a common CHMOD value to update the calculator instantly.
Permission breakdown
CHMOD digits are built by adding read, write, and execute values for each access group.
Read
4
Allows viewing file contents or listing directory metadata.
Write
2
Allows modifying files or changing directory contents.
Execute
1
Allows running a file or entering a directory.
Owner / User
First digit
The user who owns the file or folder.
Group
Second digit
Users in the assigned group.
Others / Public
Third digit
Everyone else on the system.
Quick reference examples
644
rw-r--r--
Common public-readable file permission.
755
rwxr-xr-x
Common folder or executable script permission.
700
rwx------
Private folder or private script.
600
rw-------
Private file, often used for keys.
777
rwxrwxrwx
Full access for everyone. Usually unsafe.
Developer guide
Understand CHMOD before changing server permissions
File permissions affect security, deployment behavior, SSH, WordPress hosting, scripts, and server access.
What is CHMOD?
chmod is a Unix/Linux command used to change file and directory permissions. It controls who can read, write, or execute a file.
How CHMOD numbers work
Read is 4, write is 2, and execute is 1. These values are added for owner, group, and others to form a three-digit permission value.
Owner, group, and others explained
Owner is the user who owns the file. Group is the assigned user group. Others means everyone else on the system.
Files vs folders
For files, execute means the file can run as a program or script. For directories, execute means users can enter or traverse the directory.
Common CHMOD mistakes
Practical CHMOD examples
Common terminal commands and what each permission means.
644
Owner can read/write. Group and others read only.
chmod 644 filename
755
Owner has full access. Group and others read/execute.
chmod 755 foldername
600
Owner can read/write. Group and others have no access.
chmod 600 private-key.pem
700
Owner has full access. Group and others have no access.
chmod 700 script.sh
777
Everyone can read, write, and execute. This is usually unsafe for production.
chmod 777 filename
CHMOD Calculator FAQs
It converts Unix/Linux file permissions between numeric values, symbolic strings, and readable owner/group/others access.
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