chmod 755

rwxr-xr-xSafe when used as intended

Owner can do everything; group and others can read and execute.

755 is the standard mode for directories and executable files. The owner can read, write and execute; the group and everyone else can read and execute but not change anything.

On a directory, 'execute' means permission to enter it and reach files inside, so 755 lets other users — including the web server — browse and read, while only the owner can add or delete. It's what you get for new directories under the common umask of 022.

Permission by permission

Who	Read	Write	Execute	Digit	Means
owner	✓	✓	✓	7	read, write and execute
group	✓	—	✓	5	read and execute
others	✓	—	✓	5	read and execute

In ls -l: -rwxr-xr-x for a file, drwxr-xr-x for a directory.
Symbolic form: u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx
New directories get this mode when the umask is 022.

Use it for

Directories in general, including web roots like /var/www/html.
Scripts and binaries that other users need to run.
/usr/local/bin and similar shared program directories.

Avoid it for

Regular files that aren't programs — they don't need execute; use 644.
Anything private: other users can read it. Use 700 or 750.
Don't chmod -R 755 a whole tree: it makes every file executable. Set directories and files separately (see below).

Commands

chmod 755 path

set this mode on a file or directory

chmod u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx path

the same, written symbolically

find path -type d -exec chmod 755 {} +

apply it to every directory in a tree, leaving the files alone

stat -c '%a %A %n' path

check the current mode on Linux (macOS: stat -f '%Lp %Sp %N' path)

Try variations

Mode — octal or ls -l form

755

-rwxr-xr-x

Who	read	write	execute	Digit
owner				7
group				5
others				5

setuid— run as the file's ownersetgid— run as / inherit the groupsticky— only owners delete entries

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

chmod 755 file

chmod u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx file

Read the full guide to chmod 755 →

Frequently asked questions

What does chmod 755 do?

It sets read, write and execute for the owner (7), and read and execute for the group (5) and for everyone else (5). In ls -l it shows as rwxr-xr-x.

755 or 644?

755 for directories and executables, 644 for ordinary files. Directories need the execute bit to be entered; ordinary files shouldn't have it.

Is 755 safe for a web server?

Yes, for directories. Nobody but the owner can write, so other users and the web server can read your site but not alter it. Pair it with 644 for files.