# chmod 755 — What It Means & When to Use It

> Owner can do everything; group and others can read and execute. Symbolic: `rwxr-xr-x` · Safe when used as intended.

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 | Permissions |
|---|---|
| owner | read, write and execute |
| group | read and execute |
| others | read and execute |

Symbolic chmod argument: `u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx`

## 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).

## FAQ

### 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.

## Related modes

- [chmod 644](https://www.devkult.com/chmod/644.md): Owner can read and write; everyone else can read
- [chmod 750](https://www.devkult.com/chmod/750.md): Owner can do everything; group can read and execute; others have no access
- [chmod 775](https://www.devkult.com/chmod/775.md): Owner and group can do everything; others can read and execute
- [chmod 700](https://www.devkult.com/chmod/700.md): Only the owner can read, write and execute

Open the interactive page: https://www.devkult.com/chmod/755