Available or taken?
The checker queries the registry of the extension directly: through RDAP when the registry offers it (.com, .net, .org and most generic extensions), and through the classic WHOIS service otherwise. If the name is free, you can register it right away. If it is taken, you see the registrar, the creation and expiry dates, the name servers and the status of the domain.
Availability is a snapshot taken at the moment of the search: a free name can be registered by someone else minutes later. It is only confirmed when you order.
Why owner details are not shown
Since the GDPR came into force, most registries redact the name, address and phone number of domain holders. A few registries still publish them, but we never display them: they are personal data. To contact the owner of a domain, use the contact form provided by its registrar.
Choosing a good domain name
- Short and easy to spell out loud; avoid hyphens and ambiguous spellings.
- The right extension: .com for an international audience, the country extension (.co.uk, .fr, .ma…) for a local one. Many businesses register both.
- Check trademarks before registering a name close to an existing brand.
- Watch the expiry date: an expired domain takes your website and e-mail offline and can be bought by someone else. Turn on automatic renewal.
Once your domain is registered, check its configuration with the DNS lookup and the SPF, DKIM and DMARC checker.
Read our guide: WHOIS, RDAP and what “redacted” means.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are the owner’s details not shown?
Most registries redact them, and we never republish personal data. Only the registrar, dates, name servers and status are shown.
Is the availability guaranteed?
No. It reflects the registry’s answer at the time of the search; a free name can be registered by someone else in the meantime.
What happens if my domain expires?
Your website and e-mail stop working. After a grace period, the domain can be deleted and registered by someone else. Turn on automatic renewal.