Chmod Calculator

Calculate Unix/Linux file permissions interactively. Convert between numeric (octal) and symbolic notation.

Permission Grid

RoleRead (r)Write (w)Execute (x)Octal
owner7
group5
others5
Special0

Numeric (Octal) Input

Enter 3-digit (755) or 4-digit (0755, 1755) octal

Symbolic Notation

rwxr-xr-x
r = readw = writex = execute- = no permission

chmod Command

Numeric
chmod 755 filename
Symbolic
chmod u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx filename

Common Presets

Permission Explanation

  • Owner can read, write, execute.
  • Group can read, execute.
  • Others can read, execute.

ls -la Preview

-rwxr-xr-x  1 user group  4096 Mar 17 10:00 filename

Umask Calculator

The umask determines which permission bits are removed from newly created files and directories.

RoleRead (r)Write (w)Execute (x)
owner
group
others
Default file permissions (666 − 222)
644
rw-r--r--
Default directory permissions (777 − 222)
755
rwxr-xr-x

Octal / Symbolic Converter

What is Chmod?

chmod (change mode) is a Unix/Linux command that sets file and directory permissions. Permissions are represented as three octal digits (e.g., 755) controlling read (4), write (2), and execute (1) access for the owner, group, and others. This calculator provides an interactive grid to set permissions and shows the equivalent chmod command, symbolic notation, and umask value.

Common Use Cases

  • Calculating file permissions for deployment scripts
  • Understanding what chmod 755 or chmod 644 means
  • Converting between numeric and symbolic permission notation
  • Setting correct permissions for web server files
  • Calculating umask values for default permissions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does chmod 755 mean?

chmod 755 means: owner can read, write, and execute (7 = 4+2+1); group can read and execute (5 = 4+1); others can read and execute (5 = 4+1). This is the standard permission for executable files and directories.

What is the difference between 644 and 755?

644 (rw-r--r--) is for regular files: owner can read/write, everyone else can only read. 755 (rwxr-xr-x) adds execute permission, required for scripts, programs, and directories (directories need execute to be entered).