umask - default chmod for directories and files. UNIX determines directory modes by subracting your umask from the octal number 777. If your umask is 027, your default directory mode is 750. To find corresponding file permissions, subtract your umask from 666. If your umask is 022, your default file modes will be 644. $umask = 000 filemode 666 diremode 777 Typical umask Values: +-----------------------------------------------+ | umask | file | directory | | | | | | 077 | 600 (rw-------) | 700 (rwx------) | | 067 | 600 (rw-------) | 710 (rwx--x---) | | 066 | 600 (rw-------) | 711 (rwx--x--x) | | 027 | 640 (rw-r-----) | 750 (rwxr-xr-x) | | 022 | 644 (rw-r--r--) | 755 (rwxr-xr-x) | | 000 | 666 (rw-rw-rw-) | 777 (rwxrwxrwx) | +-----------------------------------------------+