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Chmod 500

chmod 500 sets the permissions to r-x------: it lets only the owner read and execute. Here is exactly what that allows on files and directories, when to use it, and the commands to apply it.

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ClassreadwriteexecuteValue
owner5
group0
others0
Common:
$ chmod 500 file.sh
$ chmod u=rx,g=,o= file.sh
  • • The owner can read and execute.
  • • The group can do nothing.
  • • Everyone else can do nothing.

What chmod 500 means

WhoDigitLettersOn a fileOn a directory
owner 5 r-x Can read and run Can list files and enter it and open files
group 0 --- No access No access
others 0 --- No access No access

Each digit is the sum of read (4), write (2) and execute (1). In ls -l output it looks like this: 

$ ls -l
-r-x------  1 alice  staff  1834 Oct 21 10:30 example.txt
  • The owner can read and execute.
  • The group can do nothing.
  • Everyone else can do nothing.

When to use 500

  • Private read-only scripts
  • Directories nobody should modify

500 is a read-only version of 700. It is useful for a script or directory that only one account should use and that nothing should modify by accident. Like 555, the owner can change it back with chmod.

Is chmod 500 safe?

Yes. Nobody outside the owner can access it at all (except root).

Commands

# One file
chmod 500 file

# Same thing in symbolic form
chmod u=rx,g=,o= file

# Every file under a tree (leaves directories alone)
find /path/to/dir -type f -exec chmod 500 {} +

# Check the result
stat -c '%a %A %n' file    # Linux
stat -f '%Lp %Sp %N' file  # macOS

Avoid chmod -R 500 on a whole tree: it gives files and directories the same mode. The find form above changes only files.

Compare with similar modes

ModeSymbolicDifference
700 rwx------ Gives the owner full access and everyone else nothing
600 rw------- Lets only the owner read and write
400 r-------- Lets only the owner read
000 --------- Gives nobody any access

Other chmod values

777 · 775 · 770 · 755 · 751 · 750 · 744 · 711 · 700 · 666 · 664 · 660 · 644 · 640 · 600 · 555 · 444 · 400 · 000 · 1777 · 2775 · 4755

Need a different combination? Use the Chmod Calculator.

Sources

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Frequently asked questions

What does chmod 500 mean?

chmod 500 sets the permissions to r-x------. The owner can read and execute. The group can do nothing. Everyone else can do nothing.

Is chmod 500 safe?

Yes. Nobody outside the owner can access it at all (except root).