chmod 664 meaning

664 rw-rw-r--

The owner and the group can read and write; everyone else can read.

When to use 664

Files you and your group both edit, for example uploads and logs written by the web server user in your group.

Your group can change these files. Fine when the group is you and the web server; check who else is in it.

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)	6	rw-	Yes	Yes	No
Group (g)	6	rw-	Yes	Yes	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 664 file.php
chmod -R 664 folder/
find folder/ -type f -exec chmod 664 {} +

In cPanel: File Manager → right-click → Change Permissions, and tick the boxes until the number shows 664.

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 664 mean?

Each digit is the sum of read (4), write (2) and execute (1), for the owner, the group and everyone else. 664 = 6 / 6 / 4, so the owner and the group can read and write; everyone else can read (rw-rw-r--).

Should I use 664 for files or for folders?

664 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 664 in cPanel?

In File Manager, right-click the file or folder, choose Change Permissions, and tick the boxes so the number shows 664. Over SSH: chmod 664 path (add -R to include everything inside a folder).