Most FTP clients let you view and change a file's permissions the same way a control panel file manager does. This is useful if a script won't run, a page shows a permissions error, or you were told to "set this file to 644" or "this folder to 755" and aren't sure how.
What file permissions actually mean
Permissions are shown as a three-digit number, like 644 or 755. Each digit controls what the file's owner, group, and everyone else can do with it: read, write, or execute. You don't need to memorize the full logic, just these two common settings:
- 644 for most files (HTML, images, CSS, configuration files).
- 755 for folders and for files that need to run as programs (some scripts, CGI files).
Never set a file or folder to 777 unless a specific piece of software explicitly requires it and you understand why. It makes the file writable by anyone on the server, which is a common way websites get compromised.
Changing permissions in FileZilla
These steps work the same whether your hosting account is on cPanel or DirectAdmin, since you're connecting directly with your FTP account's own login details rather than going through the control panel.
- Connect to your hosting account in FileZilla. If you haven't set this up yet, see the related guide linked below.
- In the remote site panel (right side), navigate to the file or folder you need to change.
- Right-click the file or folder and select File permissions (or File Attributes on some versions).
- In the dialog that appears, either type the numeric value directly into the Numeric value field (e.g. 644), or tick the individual read/write/execute checkboxes.
- If you're changing a folder that contains files and subfolders you also want updated, tick Recurse into subdirectories and choose whether to apply the change to files, folders, or both.
- Click OK to apply the change.
Changing permissions in other FTP clients
The exact wording differs slightly by client, but the process is nearly identical:
- WinSCP: right-click the file, choose Properties, then edit the permissions value.
- Cyberduck: right-click the file, choose Info, and adjust permissions from the panel that opens.
In each case you're looking for the same three-digit numeric permission value.
If you're not sure what a file should be set to
When in doubt, leave standard files at 644 and folders at 755. If a specific application (a WordPress plugin, a script you installed) documents a different requirement for one of its files, follow that documentation rather than guessing.
If you're seeing a specific error message like "500 Internal Server Error" or "403 Forbidden" that you suspect is permissions-related, check how to fix file and folder permission errors on your website for the exact values expected for common file types.