Linux Permissions

I’m not gonna lie, I still struggle with remembering file permissions and their number structure. So I think it’s about time for me to make a table and study it a bit, finally commit it to memory.

0: no permission 1: execute 2: write 4: read

Permission Number Permission
No Permission 0 -
Execute 1 –x
Write 2 -w-
Read 4 r–
Permission Number Permission
All permissions 7
(1+2+4)
rwx
Read and Write 6
(2+4)
rw-
Read and Execute 5
(1+4)
r-x
Write and Execute 3
(1+2)
-wx
Number Owner-Group-Public When to use
0777 - rwx rwx rwx Everyone can read, write, and execute. God Mode.
0755 - rwx r-x r-x Everyone can read and execute, but only the owner can write
0644 - rw- r– r–
0600 - rw- — — Only the owner can read, write
0555 - r-x r-x r-x
0444 - r– r– r–
0400 - r– — — A key

Here’s a fun chmod calculator that will create the number pattern for you. (Maybe I’ll write my own sometime.) https://chmod-calculator.com/