umask
Set the default creation permissions mask for new files and directories.
Synopsis
umask [-S] [MODE]
Examples
umask
umask -S
umask 027
umask 077
Common options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| -S | Output in symbolic form |
| -p | Output in form reusable as input |
About umask
The `umask` command set the default creation permissions mask for new files and directories. File permission commands control access to files and directories on Linux.
The Unix permission model uses owner, group, and other categories with read, write, and execute bits. Properly managing permissions is essential for system security, multi-user environments, and running services that require specific access levels.
The command accepts 2 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man umask`). The 4 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More File Permissions Commands
Other commands in the File Permissions category