chmod 555 meaning

555 r-xr-xr-x

The owner, the group and everyone else can read and execute.

When to use 555

Read-only folders and scripts that everyone can open or run but nobody changes.

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)	5	r-x	Yes	No	Yes
Group (g)	5	r-x	Yes	No	Yes
Others (o)	5	r-x	Yes	No	Yes

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 folders inside a folder:

chmod 555 folder
chmod -R 555 folder/
find folder/ -type d -exec chmod 555 {} +

In cPanel: File Manager → right-click → Change Permissions, and tick the boxes until the number shows 555.

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 555 mean?

Each digit is the sum of read (4), write (2) and execute (1), for the owner, the group and everyone else. 555 = 5 / 5 / 5, so the owner, the group and everyone else can read and execute (r-xr-xr-x).

Should I use 555 for files or for folders?

555 includes execute, which on a folder means "may open it". It suits folders and scripts; for ordinary files use the same number without execute (444).

How do I set 555 in cPanel?

In File Manager, right-click the file or folder, choose Change Permissions, and tick the boxes so the number shows 555. Over SSH: chmod 555 path (add -R to include everything inside a folder).