555
Octal
r-xr-xr-x
Symbolic
Safe
Security
What does chmod 555 mean?
chmod 555 gives read and execute for everyone, no write. Everyone can run (or list) it, nobody can write. Used for system directories and binaries that should never be modified in place.
| Who | Digit | Symbolic | Permissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner (user) | 5 | r-x | read, execute |
| Group | 5 | r-x | read, execute |
| Others | 5 | r-x | read, execute |
Each digit is the sum of read (4), write (2) and execute (1). In ls -l the file shows as -r-xr-xr-x and a directory as dr-xr-xr-x.
How to use chmod 555
# one file or directory
chmod 555 filename
# the same permissions in symbolic form
chmod u=rx,g=rx,o=rx filename
# a directory and everything inside it
chmod -R 555 directory/
# only directories (keep files separate)
find path/ -type d -exec chmod 555 {} +Need a different combination? Tick the boxes in the chmod calculator to get the octal and symbolic values instantly.
Chmod calculatorToggle read, write and execute for owner, group and others to build any permission.
Open the calculator Frequently asked questions
What does chmod 555 do?
It sets the permissions to r-xr-xr-x: the owner gets read, execute, the group read, execute and others read, execute.
What is 555 in symbolic notation?
r-xr-xr-x, or chmod u=rx,g=rx,o=rx as a symbolic chmod command.Is chmod 555 safe?
Yes, 555 does not give write access to other users.