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File Permission Converter

Convert between symbolic (rwxr-xr-x) and numeric (755) Linux file permission formats. Toggle permissions visually, set file types, and handle special permission bits.

Enter 3 digits (755) or 4 digits with special bit (4755)

Enter 9 characters (rwxr-xr-x)

Numeric

755

Symbolic

rwxr-xr-x

ls -l Output

-rwxr-xr-x

File Type

Permission Grid

Owner

7

Group

5

Others

5

Read(r=4)
Write(w=2)
Execute(x=1)

Special Permissions (4th Digit)

chmod Command

$ chmod 755 filename

Common Permission Reference

NumericSymbolicDescriptionAction
777rwxrwxrwxFull access for everyone
755rwxr-xr-xOwner full, others read/execute
750rwxr-x---Owner full, group read/execute
700rwx------Owner full access only
666rw-rw-rw-Read/write for everyone
644rw-r--r--Owner read/write, others read
600rw-------Owner read/write only
555r-xr-xr-xRead/execute for everyone
444r--r--r--Read-only for everyone
400r--------Owner read only

Octal Digit Reference

DigitSymbolPermission
0---No permission
1--xExecute
2-w-Write
3-wxWrite + Execute
4r--Read
5r-xRead + Execute
6rw-Read + Write
7rwxRead + Write + Execute

Understanding Linux file permissions

Every file on a Linux system carries a permission set that controls read, write, and execute access for the owner, group, and others. These permissions can be represented in symbolic form (rwxr-xr-x) or numeric/octal form (755), and both notations describe the same access rules.

How this converter works

Enter a numeric value like 644 or a symbolic string like rw-r--r-- and the tool instantly converts it to the other format. You can also toggle individual permission bits on the visual grid, set file type prefixes (directory, symlink, etc.), and handle special bits like setuid, setgid, and sticky.

When to use permission conversion

Decoding the output of ls -l, auditing file access on a server, or writing deployment scripts that set correct permissions are all easier when you can quickly translate between numeric and symbolic notation.