Get the chmod numerical value for a file

Question

In FreeBSD and also in Linux, how can I get the numerical chmod value of a file? For example, 644 instead of -rw-r--r--? I need an automatic way for a Bash script.

Similar: Convert ls -l output format to chmod format – Stéphane Chazelas May 15 '21 at 07:51 — Stéphane Chazelas, May 15 '21 at 07:51

score 263 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 13 '23 at 17:32

263

You can get the value directly using a stat output format, e.g.

Linux:

stat --format '%a' <file>

BSD/OS X:

stat -f "%OLp" <file>

Busybox:

 stat -c '%a' <file>

edited Mar 13 '23 at 17:32

Peter

115

answered Sep 01 '12 at 20:12

teppic

4,611

2

single quotes are not needed, and --format can be abbreviated -c. This works: stat -c %a <file> – johny why Sep 23 '16 at 17:53
I needed the busybox answer on Ubuntu, otherwise 'stat: cannot read file system information for '%OLp': No such file or directory' – tofutim Mar 11 '18 at 13:34
I use lubuntu, have busybox and stat -c gives the result, but -f spits out error and prints blocks and inodes info, similar to tofutim. – Timo May 14 '21 at 19:32

PersianGulf · Answer 2 · 2021-05-23T01:19:50.477

14

use stat YOUR_FILE unless write script that calculate :

rwx rwx rwx ==> ( r = 4 ) if set + ( w = 2) if set + (x = 1) if set , for example:
You have :
-rw-wxrw- => (4+2+0)(0+2+1)(4+2+0) = 0636 
First argument before 9 permissions is one of :
- = regular file
d =  directory
b = block device
c = character device
s = socket
p = pipe
f = fifo

By the way , I use stat command on Linux box, not freebsd, because it investigate HFS probably work with UFS.

edited May 23 '21 at 01:19

answered Sep 01 '12 at 18:55

PersianGulf

10,850

Yes, i found it under FreeBSD box, use stat -x YOUR_FILE under FreeBSD box – PersianGulf Sep 01 '12 at 19:02
stat -r YOUR_FILE |awk '{print $3}' gives your permission. – PersianGulf Sep 01 '12 at 19:09
command to show friendly? not only a number like 666 or codes -rw-wxrw- but a text with explanations about each permission. – Peter Krauss Dec 03 '18 at 19:18
@PeterKrauss , It's better to write an awk to retrive numerical result. – PersianGulf Dec 06 '18 at 16:07
Thanks @PersianGulf. Hum... No plug-and-play standard way.... – Peter Krauss Dec 06 '18 at 23:04
You forgot the l and please, your homepage in english;) we are global people.. – Timo May 14 '21 at 19:23

score 12 · Answer 3 · answered May 27 '17 at 22:30

12

Some additional information on stat:

$ stat -c %a file.txt

777  

$ stat -c %A file.txt

-rwxrwxrwx

answered May 27 '17 at 22:30

Mateen Ulhaq

743

it is stat -f %A file.txt under mac, it would return 644 or some other 3 digital number. – Weijing Jay Lin Jun 15 '17 at 07:11
this works, the others answers not stat (GNU coreutils) 8.28 – Tiana987642 Nov 01 '23 at 08:53

score 5 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 14 '23 at 05:47

5

With GNU stat, try this to get the value for all non-hidden files in the current working directory.

stat --format "%a  %n" -- *

edited Mar 14 '23 at 05:47

Stéphane Chazelas

544,893

answered Aug 05 '18 at 16:41

Hatem Badawi

197

Get the chmod numerical value for a file

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