chmod 660 meaning

660 rw-rw----

The owner and the group can read and write; everyone else can do nothing.

When to use 660

Files shared with your group that others must not read, such as a group-readable database socket or log.

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)	0	---	No	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 660 file.php
chmod -R 660 folder/
find folder/ -type f -exec chmod 660 {} +

In cPanel: File Manager → right-click → Change Permissions, and tick the boxes until the number shows 660.

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 660 mean?

Each digit is the sum of read (4), write (2) and execute (1), for the owner, the group and everyone else. 660 = 6 / 6 / 0, so the owner and the group can read and write; everyone else can do nothing (rw-rw----).

Should I use 660 for files or for folders?

660 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 660 in cPanel?

In File Manager, right-click the file or folder, choose Change Permissions, and tick the boxes so the number shows 660. Over SSH: chmod 660 path (add -R to include everything inside a folder).