Masjid al-Haram Live Crowd Tracker (Tawaf, Mataf, Sa'i)
Real-time estimated occupancy across the Mataf circumambulation courtyard, upper Tawaf galleries, Al-Masa'a (Sa'i), and surrounding prayer halls in Makkah. Derived from Umm al-Qura prayer anchors and visitor flow patterns.
Current Live Mataf Crowd Status & Interactive Map
steady flow expected
Tawaf Duration (7 Rounds)
Live StatusCircumambulation is flowing freely near the Kaaba; ~1.1 km total distance on the ground level.
Ground Mataf Access
Ihram OnlyGround courtyard is strictly reserved for pilgrims in Ihram performing Umrah (Nusuk permit). Non-Ihram worshippers performing voluntary Tawaf should use the First Floor or Roof.
Next Prayer & Halt Notice
Active TawafGround Mataf Tawaf pauses ~20 mins before each Adhan as stewards arrange congregational prayer rows (safs) directly facing the Kaaba.
Mataf & Sanctuary Zone Crowd Breakdown
Live conditions and estimated density across each circumambulation track, prayer hall, and courtyard in Masjid al-Haram.
15-Minute Occupancy & Duration Schedule
96-slot daily crowding index (0–100) and duration modeled from official General Authority guidance, prayer surge anchors, and empirical pilgrim flow.
View Complete 96-Slot Interval Table
| Time | Index (0–100) | Level | Ground Tawaf Duration |
|---|
Mataf crowd model calibrated to official General Authority capacity (107,000/hr) and dynamic prayer surge anchors. Switch to Safa & Marwah (Masa'a) to view the Sa'i schedule (118,000/hr capacity, 4 floors, ~46 min average duration with tawaf-transit lag).
Best Times for Tawaf in the Mataf
Circumambulating the Kaaba varies significantly across the 24-hour cycle in Makkah. Use these optimal windows to plan your Umrah or voluntary Tawaf.
🌟 Golden Window: 01:00 AM – 03:30 AM
Cool night temperatures and minimal congestion. Worshippers can walk directly adjacent to the Kaaba; average 7-circuit Tawaf completes in ~25–35 minutes.
🌅 Morning Lull: 07:30 AM – 09:30 AM
Following post-Fajr departures and Ishraq prayer, the Mataf enters a calm lull before midday heat. Excellent for families and elderly pilgrims.
⚠️ Midday Heat: 11:30 AM – 03:00 PM
Direct desert sunlight warms the open courtyard. Wear thick socks or light leather Khuffayn/tawaf shoes, or choose the shaded First Floor colonnade.
⛔ Congregational Salah Halt: 20 min Before Adhan
Security stewards pause Tawaf entries on the ground floor to form prayer safs. If doing Tawaf near prayer time, head to the First Floor to continue.
Makkah Prayer Times Today
All timings follow the official Umm al-Qura calendar (Asia/Riyadh, UTC+3). Crowd surges occur 30–45 minutes prior to each prayer call.
| Prayer | Time | Expected Mataf Crowd |
|---|
Next 7 Days Prayer Forecast
| Date | Fajr | Sunrise | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha | Suhoor End | Iftar |
|---|
How the Mataf Crowd Model Works
The tracker models density from dynamic prayer anchors rather than static wall clock times, adapting to the 2-hour seasonal prayer shift across Makkah.
Daily Prayer Surges
The ground Mataf fills 45–60 minutes before each Adhan, peaks at L2 capacity through congregational prayer, and disperses within 30 minutes following Salah.
Ramadan & Taraweeh
The baseline floor stays elevated at Medium/High around the clock. Suhoor, Iftar, Taraweeh, and Tahajjud (last 10 nights) bring sustained maximum capacity.
Hajj Days (8–13 Dhul-Hijjah)
With millions stationed in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, the Grand Mosque and Mataf experience an unprecedented calm lull (L0), returning on 14 Dhul-Hijjah for Tawaf al-Wida.
Friday Jumu‘ah
The single largest weekly congregation. The Mataf and entire Haram complex operate at extreme capacity from 09:30 AM until 01:30 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these live measured crowd counts for the Mataf?
No. There are no public camera or sensor density feeds available from the mosque. This model provides an authoritative estimate derived from the official Makkah prayer timetable, historical Tawaf queues, and Ministry of Hajj & Umrah operational regulations.
How long does a 7-round Tawaf take?
On the Ground Mataf: ~25 to 35 minutes during Low crowd, ~45 to 65 minutes during Medium crowd, and 75 to 110+ minutes during High crowd. On the First Floor, add roughly 15 to 20 minutes because each circuit is wider (~400 meters vs ~150 meters near the Kaaba).
What are the current rules for entering the Ground Mataf?
During busy seasons and peak hours, the Ground Mataf courtyard is restricted to pilgrims in Ihram performing Umrah (with Nusuk app verification). Non-Ihram worshippers performing voluntary/Sunnah Tawaf are directed to the First Floor or the Roof Mataf.
Where can elderly or disabled pilgrims perform Tawaf?
Push-wheelchairs operate on the First Floor and designated ramps. Electric single- and double-seater carts operate on the dedicated Mezzanine Cart Track above the ground level, accessible via elevators and bridges from the outer plazas.
Does Tawaf halt during the five daily prayers?
Yes. Approximately 20 minutes before each daily prayer, stewards stop new pilgrims from entering the Ground Mataf so that orderly prayer rows (safs) can form facing the Kaaba. Tawaf resumes roughly 15 minutes after the prayer ends.
Timed to the Umm al-Qura prayer schedule and official visiting hours. Colours indicate current zone conditions; on site, follow stewards and designated entry gates. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).