Discord Permission Calculator
Discord permissions are stored as a bitwise integer, so a single number encodes every permission a role or invite grants. This calculator converts your selections into that integer and decodes any existing integer back into a readable list, which is the fastest way to audit an over-permissioned bot.
How to use the Permission Calculator
- Tick the permissions you want, or paste an existing integer to decode.
- Review the decoded list and remove anything the role does not need.
- Copy the integer into your bot invite URL or role configuration.
How Discord permissions add up
Discord calculates permissions as a 64-bit bitfield: each permission corresponds to one bit in a large integer. Selecting multiple permissions calculates their bitwise OR sum.
The Administrator shortcut
Setting bit 3 (value 8) grants Administrator, which automatically overrides all other channel and role restrictions in the server.
Bitwise permissions and the principle of least privilege
Discord permissions are stored as a bitfield, where each permission occupies one bit of a large integer. A role granting Send Messages and Manage Messages is represented by a single number formed from those two bits, which is why a bot invite URL can carry an entire permission set in one parameter and why decoding that number tells you exactly what a bot is asking for.
The two flags to watch are Administrator and Manage Server. Administrator overrides every other permission and every channel override in the server, so a role holding it cannot be restricted anywhere. Manage Server allows changes to server-wide settings including invites and integrations. A bot requesting either is asking for far more than almost any bot genuinely needs.
Effective permissions are the union of a member's roles, then modified by channel overrides. Roles combine additively, so a member with three roles has every permission any of them grants. Channel overrides are applied afterwards and can deny something the roles allowed, with the exception of Administrator, which nothing can override.
Common problems and fixes
- A member has a permission you did not grant
Permissions from multiple roles combine additively. Decode each of their roles to find which one supplies it. - A channel override is not taking effect
The member likely holds Administrator, which cannot be overridden at the channel level. - A bot cannot act despite the correct permissions
Its highest role must sit above the role or member it is acting on in the role hierarchy.
Frequently asked questions
What permission integer gives Administrator?
8. Bit 3 is Administrator, so 1 shifted left 3 times is 8 (which automatically grants all permissions).
Do permission numbers work with 64-bit integers?
Yes. Discord permissions use 64-bit bitfields. This page uses JavaScript BigInt to calculate large permission values accurately.
Why do bot invites need permissions in the URL?
Permissions in the OAuth2 invite link pre-configure the bot's default role when it joins your server.
Can I edit the integer directly to check what permissions it grants?
Yes. Type or paste any number into the permission integer box to automatically check the corresponding permissions.
What does the permission integer in a bot invite mean?
It is the bitwise sum of every permission the invite requests. Decoding it shows exactly what the bot will be granted.
Is granting Administrator to a bot safe?
Rarely. Administrator bypasses all channel overrides, so a compromised bot with it has full control. Grant specific permissions instead.
Do role permissions or channel overrides win?
Channel overrides are applied after role permissions and take precedence, except for Administrator.