Use this free domain availability checker to see if a domain name is free to register or already taken. It also checks the same name in other extensions at once. No sign-up needed.
No extension? We check .com for you.
How to check if a domain is available
- Type the name you want, like
mybrand.com. You can skip the extension and we’ll check .com for you. - Click Check.
- Read the main result at the top, then scroll to Same name, other extensions to see which alternatives are free.
You don’t need to clean up what you paste. The tool strips https://, www., paths and ports, and it accepts names with accents or non-Latin letters. If you enter a subdomain like blog.mybrand.com, it tells you so and checks the main domain, mybrand.com, because that’s the part you’d actually register.
Where the answer comes from
We ask the registry that runs the extension, not a guess based on whether a website loads. Here’s the order:
- RDAP, the official lookup service most registries offer (it’s the modern replacement for WHOIS). If the registry has no record of the name, it’s available. If it has one, it’s taken.
- WHOIS, for extensions whose registry doesn’t offer RDAP, such as some country codes.
- Nameservers, as a last resort. If the name has nameservers set, someone owns it.
This matters because plenty of registered domains have no website at all. A checker that only looks at DNS or tries to open the site would call those “available” when they aren’t.
What each result means
“is available!”
Nobody has registered the name. You’ll see a Register button and, for common extensions, the first-year and renewal price at our registrar partner. Look at the renewal price too, since some cheap extensions cost a lot more from year two. Prices are a guide, so confirm the final amount at checkout.
“is taken”
The name is registered to someone, even if there’s no website on it yet. Check the alternatives below the result, or try a variation of the name.
“We could not confirm”
We couldn’t get a clear answer from the registry, and the name has no nameservers, so it may well be free. Click Check at registrar to confirm. This happens most with smaller country extensions, or when a registry is slow to reply. Trying again a little later often helps.
Same name, other extensions
Below the main result you get up to 8 alternatives for the same name, such as .net, .org, .io or .online. Free ones are listed first with their prices. Taken ones are grouped in a single “Also taken” line, so you can skip them at a glance.
Common errors and how to fix them
- “That does not look like a valid domain.” Use only letters, numbers and hyphens, with no spaces, and don’t start or end the name with a hyphen.
- “Please enter a domain name.” The box was empty. Type a name and check again.
- “Too many requests.” You can run 30 checks every 10 minutes. The message tells you how many minutes to wait.
One more thing: to keep it fast, a result can be reused for a short while. A name registered a few minutes ago might still show as free, so the registrar’s checkout is always the final word.
After you find your domain
A domain is just the address. To put a site on it you need hosting too. Our web hosting quiz suggests 3 hosts that fit your site in under a minute. Once the domain points to your host, use the DNS lookup tool to confirm its records are set up right. Curious who hosts a taken domain? The website hosting checker will tell you.
FAQ
How do I know if a domain name is available?
Type it into the checker above and click Check. We ask the extension’s official registry whether the name has an owner, which is far more reliable than seeing if a website loads.
Why does a domain show as available but I can’t buy it?
Usually because it’s a premium or reserved name, or someone registered it moments ago. Registries hold back some names or price them much higher, and some country extensions only allow local residents or businesses. The registrar shows the real price and any rules at checkout.
What can I do if the domain I want is taken?
Try another extension or a small change to the name first. Adding a word like “get”, “hq” or your city often works. If you really want that exact name, see if it’s listed for sale on a domain marketplace, or contact the owner. Some owners will sell.
When does a taken domain become available again?
Only when the owner stops renewing it, and even then not right away. Most expired domains go through a grace period and a redemption period, where the old owner can still get them back, before they’re released. Plenty of owners renew on autopilot, so don’t count on it.
Will searching for a domain get it taken by someone else?
No, not here. We don’t keep a list of what you search or sell it. Only the available or taken status of a name is cached briefly to speed up repeat checks. Still, if you find a name you love, register it soon. Good names do go fast.
Is a .com better than other extensions?
For most businesses, .com is still the safest pick because people type it by default. But a clear, short name on .net, .org, .io or a country extension beats a long, awkward .com. If your audience is in one country, its local extension can be a great choice.
