chmod 444 meaning

444 r--r--r--

The owner, the group and everyone else can read.

When to use 444

Read-only files everyone can read, such as a locked wp-config.php or a generated file you don't want edited.

What each digit allows

Read = 4, write = 2, execute = 1. Each digit is the sum for one group of users.

Who	Digit	Symbolic	Read	Write	Execute
Owner (u)	4	r--	Yes	No	No
Group (g)	4	r--	Yes	No	No
Others (o)	4	r--	Yes	No	No

On a folder, read lists its contents, write adds or deletes files in it, and execute lets you open it (cd into it).

Commands

One file or folder, a folder with everything inside it, or only the files inside a folder:

chmod 444 file.php
chmod -R 444 folder/
find folder/ -type f -exec chmod 444 {} +

In cPanel: File Manager → right-click → Change Permissions, and tick the boxes until the number shows 444.

Try other permissions

Tick or untick the boxes to see the number, the symbolic form and the command.

	Read	Write	Execute
Owner
Group
Everyone else

Special bits (setuid, setgid, sticky)

setuid setgid sticky

Common values

Octal

Symbolic

Command

-R

Compare

Frequently asked questions

What does chmod 444 mean?

Each digit is the sum of read (4), write (2) and execute (1), for the owner, the group and everyone else. 444 = 4 / 4 / 4, so the owner, the group and everyone else can read (r--r--r--).

Should I use 444 for files or for folders?

444 suits files. A folder needs execute before anyone can open it, so folders usually get 755 (or 775 when your group must write).

How do I set 444 in cPanel?

In File Manager, right-click the file or folder, choose Change Permissions, and tick the boxes so the number shows 444. Over SSH: chmod 444 path (add -R to include everything inside a folder).