What is WHOIS?

Understanding domain registration information

WHOIS Database

WHOIS is a public database that stores registration information for domain names, including registrant details, registration dates, and nameserver information.

Privacy Protection

Many registrars offer WHOIS privacy protection to hide personal information and replace it with proxy contact details to prevent spam and identity theft.

Legal Requirements

ICANN requires domain registrants to provide accurate contact information, which is made publicly available through WHOIS unless privacy protection is enabled.

Domain Verification

WHOIS lookup is essential for verifying domain ownership, checking expiration dates, and investigating potential trademark conflicts or domain disputes.

WHOIS Information Includes

Key data points available in WHOIS records

Registrant Information

Name, organization, and contact details of the domain owner

Registrar Details

Company that registered the domain and their contact information

Registration Date

When the domain was first registered

Expiration Date

When the domain registration expires

Last Updated

Most recent modification to the domain record

Nameservers

DNS servers that host the domain's DNS records

Domain Status

Current status codes indicating domain lock status and restrictions

DNSSEC Status

Whether DNS Security Extensions are enabled for the domain

WHOIS FAQs

Common questions about WHOIS lookups

Is WHOIS lookup free?

Yes, WHOIS lookup is completely free. It's a public database maintained by domain registrars and registries, accessible to anyone.

Why is some information hidden?

Domain owners can enable WHOIS privacy protection, which replaces their personal information with proxy contact details provided by their registrar to maintain privacy.

Can I find out who owns a domain?

If WHOIS privacy is not enabled, you can see the registrant's name and contact information. With privacy protection, only proxy contact details are visible.

How often is WHOIS data updated?

WHOIS data is updated in real-time whenever changes are made to domain registration. Our lookup tool retrieves the most current information available.

What are domain status codes?

Status codes indicate domain state, such as clientTransferProhibited (prevents transfers) or ok (no restrictions). These codes protect against unauthorized changes.

Can I lookup international domains?

Yes, our WHOIS tool supports all major TLDs including country-code domains (.uk, .de, .jp) and new gTLDs (.io, .dev, .app).

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