How to Check Memory Usage in RabbitMQ Easily

You can check RabbitMQ memory usage by running the rabbitmqctl status command, which shows memory details under the memory section. Alternatively, use the rabbitmq-diagnostics memory_breakdown command for a detailed memory report.

Syntax

The main commands to check RabbitMQ memory usage are:

• rabbitmqctl status: Shows overall server status including memory usage.
• rabbitmq-diagnostics memory_breakdown: Provides detailed memory usage by components.

These commands must be run on the server where RabbitMQ is installed.

bash

rabbitmqctl status
rabbitmq-diagnostics memory_breakdown

Example

This example shows how to run rabbitmqctl status to see memory usage summary.

bash

rabbitmqctl status

Output

{
  "pid":1234,
  "memory": {
    "connection_readers": 0,
    "connection_writers": 0,
    "connection_channels": 0,
    "connection_other": 0,
    "queue_procs": 12345678,
    "queue_slave_procs": 0,
    "plugins": 2345678,
    "other_proc": 3456789,
    "mnesia": 456789,
    "metrics": 567890,
    "mgmt_db": 678901,
    "msg_index": 789012,
    "other_ets": 890123,
    "binary": 901234,
    "code": 1012345,
    "atom": 1123456,
    "other_system": 1234567,
    "total": 98765432
  }
}

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when checking RabbitMQ memory usage include:

• Running commands without proper permissions, causing errors.
• Confusing total system memory with RabbitMQ process memory.
• Ignoring detailed breakdowns that help identify memory hogs.

Always run commands as a user with RabbitMQ control rights.

bash

## Wrong: Running without sudo or proper user
rabbitmqctl status

## Right: Run with proper permissions
sudo rabbitmqctl status

Quick Reference

Command	Description
rabbitmqctl status	Shows overall RabbitMQ status including memory usage summary
rabbitmq-diagnostics memory_breakdown	Detailed memory usage by RabbitMQ components
sudo rabbitmqctl status	Run status command with proper permissions
rabbitmqctl eval 'erlang:memory().'	Get raw Erlang VM memory usage

Key Takeaways

Use rabbitmqctl status to quickly check RabbitMQ memory usage.

For detailed memory info, run rabbitmq-diagnostics memory_breakdown.

Always run RabbitMQ commands with proper permissions to avoid errors.

Check memory breakdown to identify which parts use the most memory.

Remember RabbitMQ memory is part of the Erlang VM memory.