chmod Calculator
Convert chmod numeric and symbolic permissions
Enter octal or symbolic permissions first to convert them and generate a chmod command immediately; common permission scenarios are available in Advanced mode.
The full guide also includes pitfalls, worked examples, snippets, FAQs, and related tools for checking results or troubleshooting.
About this tool
Convert the nine ordinary Unix permission bits between a visual matrix, three octal digits and rwxr-xr-x notation. Copy a single-path command or inspect its recursive form. Special bits, symbolic operations such as u+x, ACLs and ownership are outside this calculator.
Production Snippets
Three different access needs
text
755 = rwxr-xr-x (directory / executable example)
644 = rw-r--r-- (ordinary readable file example)
600 = rw------- (private file example)
4755 = unsupported special bits; not converted to 475Frequently Asked Questions
What do 755 and 644 mean?
755 gives the owner rwx and group/others r-x. 644 gives the owner rw- and group/others r--. They are common examples, not universally correct permissions for every path.
Can I enter 0755, 4755 or u+x?
0755 is accepted as 755. A nonzero fourth digit, s/t permission letters and symbolic operations such as u+x are rejected because the matrix only models nine ordinary permission bits.
Does execute mean the same thing on files and directories?
For a file, x permits execution where the file format and system allow it. For a directory, x allows searching/traversing it; reading its entry list is a separate r permission.
Should I copy chmod -R or use 777 to fix access?
Review the target tree first. -R applies a mode to children too, while files and directories often need different modes. 777 gives everyone write access; investigate ownership, group membership and required access instead of choosing it by default.
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