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Prayer Rugs
Shop our three prayer rugs below, each with free shipping. Further down: what the different names mean, the main types of prayer rug, and how to pick one that suits the way you pray.
Shop prayer rugs
Three prayer rugs, each made for a different need. Every order ships free, and you can buy online in a couple of minutes.
The Rawdah Orthopedic
12mm memory foam for joint comfort
$185 USD · Free shipping
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The Silk Route Travel
3mm silk blend that folds into a sleeve
$145 USD · Free shipping
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The Andalusia Flatweave
Hand-spun wool with geometric patterns
$210 USD · Free shipping
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Prayer rug vs prayer mat: is there a difference?
Not really. "Prayer rug" and "prayer mat" are two English names for the same thing: a clean surface, roughly the size of one person, laid on the floor for the five daily prayers. Which word people use mostly comes down to where they grew up and what the piece is made of.
- Prayer rug is more common in North America, and tends to be used for woven wool or silk pieces.
- Prayer mat is more common in the UK, South Asia and Southeast Asia, and is the usual word for cushioned, foldable or travel versions.
We use "prayer mat" across this site, but everything in our guides applies equally if you call yours a prayer rug.
Other names for a prayer rug
| Sajjada (sajjadah) | Arabic. From the same root as sujood, the prostration in prayer. |
|---|---|
| Janamaz (jaynamaz) | Persian, Urdu and Bengali. Literally "place of prayer". |
| Musalla | Arabic. Used for a prayer rug and also for a prayer space. |
| Sejadah (sajadah) | Malay and Indonesian. |
| Seccade | Turkish. |
Types of prayer rug
Woven wool prayer rugs
The traditional choice. A hand-woven wool flatweave is hard-wearing, warm on cold floors, and resists dust thanks to the natural lanolin in the fibre. It is the type most people picture when they hear "prayer rug". Read more about wool prayer mats, or see our Andalusia Flatweave, hand-spun from 100% wool.
Silk and silk-blend prayer rugs
Silk gives a smooth surface with a soft sheen, and it can be woven very thin. That makes it a good fit for a rug you carry with you. See silk prayer mats and the 3mm, 420-gram Silk Route Travel.
Cushioned (orthopedic) prayer rugs
A woven rug on a hard floor does little for sore knees. Cushioned prayer rugs put a memory-foam core under a soft cover, which takes the pressure off the knees, ankles and forehead. See orthopedic prayer mats and the 12mm Rawdah Orthopedic.
Prayer rug size and thickness
A standard adult prayer rug is about 110–125cm long and 65–75cm wide, enough room for your feet when standing and your hands, knees and forehead in prostration. Thickness runs from around 3mm for a travel rug to 12mm for a cushioned one. The size guide and thickness guide go into detail.
Prayer rug designs
Most prayer rugs carry an arch at one end, the mihrab, which points toward the qibla when the rug is laid out. Geometric star patterns and floral borders are also common, and designs avoid images of people or animals. We cover the history in the meaning of prayer mat designs.
How to choose a prayer rug
- Hard floors or sore joints: choose a cushioned rug with a non-slip backing.
- An everyday rug at home: choose woven wool for durability and warmth.
- Work, travel or the mosque: choose a thin silk blend that folds flat.
The full buying guide walks through materials, sizing and care step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Is a prayer rug the same as a prayer mat?
Yes. Prayer rug and prayer mat are two names for the same thing: a clean, person-sized surface for the daily prayers. "Rug" is more often used for woven wool or silk pieces and "mat" for cushioned or foldable ones, but the words are interchangeable.
What is a prayer rug called in Arabic and Urdu?
In Arabic a prayer rug is a sajjada (also written sajjadah), and musalla is used as well. In Urdu, Persian and Bengali it is a janamaz or jaynamaz. In Malay and Indonesian it is a sejadah, and in Turkish a seccade.
What is the standard size of a prayer rug?
A standard adult prayer rug is around 110-125cm long and 65-75cm wide. Travel prayer rugs are usually slightly smaller so they fold down, and children's rugs are smaller again.
What is the best material for a prayer rug?
It depends on how you will use it. Wool is the most durable and stays warm on cold floors, silk blends are the lightest and easiest to carry, and memory-foam prayer rugs are the most comfortable for people with knee, ankle or back discomfort.