🔐 File Permission Converter

Convert Between Octal and Symbolic Permissions

Start typing in either field to convert permissions.

What It Is
How It Works
Why It's Useful
Disclaimer

This tool converts Unix-style file permissions between **octal notation** (e.g., 755) and **symbolic notation** (e.g., rwxr-xr-x). File permissions are a core security feature in Linux and macOS for controlling who can read, write, or execute a file.

Permissions are divided into three groups: owner, group, and others. In **octal notation**, each permission (`r`, `w`, `x`) has a numeric value (4, 2, 1). The numbers for each group are added together. In **symbolic notation**, permissions are represented by letters: `r` (read), `w` (write), and `x` (execute). This tool performs the math and character mapping to convert between the two formats.

For system administrators, developers, and cybersecurity professionals, quickly converting permissions is a common task. This tool serves as a quick reference and learning aid for understanding how permissions are structured, which is critical for securing files and directories.

**Disclaimer:** This is an educational tool. For complex permissions, especially those involving special bits like SetUID, SetGID, and the sticky bit, the tool's output may not be fully comprehensive. Always consult official documentation for critical systems.