DevToolsmith

Chmod 751

chmod 751 sets the permissions to rwxr-x--x: it lets the owner do everything, the group read and execute, and others only execute. Here is exactly what that allows on files and directories, when to use it, and the commands to apply it.

Runs 100% in your browser — nothing is uploaded

ClassreadwriteexecuteValue
owner7
group5
others1
Common:
$ chmod 751 file.sh
$ chmod u=rwx,g=rx,o=x file.sh
  • • The owner can read, write and execute.
  • • The group can read and execute.
  • • Everyone else can execute.

What chmod 751 means

WhoDigitLettersOn a fileOn a directory
owner 7 rwx Can read, modify and run Can list files, create, delete and rename files and enter it and open files
group 5 r-x Can read and run Can list files and enter it and open files
others 1 --x Can run Can enter it and open files

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

$ ls -l
drwxr-x--x  2 alice  staff  4096 Oct 21 10:30 example-dir
  • The owner can read, write and execute.
  • The group can read and execute.
  • Everyone else can execute.

When to use 751

  • Home directories on shared servers
  • Directories others pass through but shouldn’t list

With execute but no read, others can enter the directory and open files whose names they already know, but ls fails. That makes 751 useful for a home directory that must serve ~/public_html, without letting other users browse the rest of it.

Is chmod 751 safe?

Yes, for home directories on shared servers. Other users can execute it, but can’t change it. Don’t use it for files that contain secrets.

Commands

# One file or directory
chmod 751 path

# Same thing in symbolic form
chmod u=rwx,g=rx,o=x path

# Every directory under a tree (leaves files alone)
find /path/to/dir -type d -exec chmod 751 {} +

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

Avoid chmod -R 751 on a whole tree: it gives files and directories the same mode. The find form above changes only directories.

Compare with similar modes

ModeSymbolicDifference
755 rwxr-xr-x Lets the owner do everything and everyone else read and execute
750 rwxr-x--- Gives the owner full access, the group read and execute, and others nothing
711 rwx--x--x Gives the owner full access and lets everyone else only execute

Other chmod values

777 · 775 · 770 · 755 · 750 · 744 · 711 · 700 · 666 · 664 · 660 · 644 · 640 · 600 · 555 · 500 · 444 · 400 · 000 · 1777 · 2775 · 4755

Need a different combination? Use the Chmod Calculator.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Email hello@devtoolsmith.com and we’ll fix it.

Frequently asked questions

What does chmod 751 mean?

chmod 751 sets the permissions to rwxr-x--x. The owner can read, write and execute. The group can read and execute. Everyone else can execute.

Is chmod 751 safe?

Yes, for home directories on shared servers. Other users can execute it, but can’t change it. Don’t use it for files that contain secrets.