Type a domain name above and click Analyze to get started.
Check Domain Availability Across 12 TLDs
Enter a domain name above to instantly check whether it’s registered across twelve popular top-level domains: .com, .net, .org, .io, .co, .ai, .dev, .app, .me, .xyz, .info, and .biz. Our availability checker uses real-time DNS lookups to determine which variations are taken and which may be available for registration.
How the Availability Check Works
Our tool queries DNS records for each TLD variation of your domain name. If DNS records exist (typically A records pointing to a server), the domain is almost certainly registered and in use. If no DNS records are found, the domain may be available — though it could also be registered but not yet configured with DNS. For this reason, we mark results as “potentially available” rather than definitively available. Always confirm availability with a registrar before attempting to purchase.
This DNS-based approach has advantages over traditional WHOIS availability checks: it’s faster, more reliable across different TLDs, and doesn’t hit WHOIS rate limits that can block repeated lookups.
What Does “Available” Actually Mean?
When our tool marks a domain as “potentially available,” it means no DNS records were found — but that doesn’t always mean you can register it immediately. A domain can exist in several states between “actively used” and “truly unregistered.”
Parked domains are registered but not connected to a website. They often show placeholder pages with ads or “this domain is for sale” notices. They’ll appear as “taken” in our checker because DNS records exist. Expired domains go through a lifecycle before becoming publicly available again: first a grace period (30–45 days where the owner can still renew at the normal price), then a redemption period (another 30 days, but renewal costs $50–$200+), and finally a pending delete phase (~5 days) before the domain drops back into the public pool. Reserved or premium domains are held by registries and sold at higher prices — a domain might show as “available” but cost hundreds or thousands per year instead of the standard rate.
For any domain that appears available, always verify with a registrar before purchasing. If you want to investigate a domain that’s currently registered, use our Domain Age Checker to see its registration history and expiration date — a domain nearing expiration might become available soon.
What to Do When Your Domain Name Is Taken
If the .com version of your ideal name is registered, you have several options before giving up on it entirely.
Try a different extension. If “yourname.com” is taken, check whether yourname.io, yourname.ai, or yourname.co is available — our checker tests 12 TLDs at once for exactly this reason. Many successful companies operate on non-.com extensions: Framer uses .io, Character uses .ai, and Angel used .co for years before acquiring the .com.
Create a brand variation. Add a word that reflects what you do — “get,” “try,” “use,” or “with” as a prefix or suffix. “getmyapp.com” is often available when “myapp.com” isn’t.
Contact the current owner. Use a WHOIS lookup to find contact information for the domain holder. Many parked domains are owned by investors who are willing to sell at the right price. Our WHOIS lookup shows registrar details and sometimes registrant data.
Set up a backorder. If the domain is nearing expiration, services like SnapNames or DropCatch can attempt to register it the moment it drops. Check the expiration date with our age checker first to see if this is realistic.
Before committing to any domain — new or aftermarket — run a reputation check to make sure it hasn’t been blacklisted or used for spam in a previous life.
Quick Guide to Domain Extensions
The extension you choose affects branding, cost, and how people perceive your site. Here’s a practical comparison of the TLDs our tool checks:
| Extension | Annual Cost | Best For | Trust Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | $10–$20 | Universal default — business, personal, anything | Highest |
| .net | $12–$18 | Tech companies, network services | High |
| .org | $10–$15 | Nonprofits, open-source projects, communities | High |
| .io | $30–$50 | SaaS, developer tools, tech startups | High (tech audiences) |
| .ai | $65–$160 | AI/ML startups, data companies | Rising fast |
| .co | $20–$35 | .com alternative for startups | Moderate — risks confusion with .com |
| .dev | $12–$20 | Developer tools, software projects | Growing — enforces HTTPS by default |
| .app | $14–$20 | Mobile apps, web applications | Growing — enforces HTTPS by default |
| .me | $8–$15 | Personal sites, portfolios | Moderate |
| .xyz | $5–$15 | Budget, Web3, experimental projects | Lower — some spam association |
| .info | $5–$12 | Informational sites | Lower — spam association |
| .biz | $10–$18 | Small businesses (rarely used) | Low — strong spam association |
For a complete list of all registered top-level domains, see the IANA root zone database, which is the authoritative source maintained by the organization that coordinates the global Domain Name System.
Google has confirmed that TLDs don’t directly affect search rankings. The trust differences are behavioral — users are more likely to click on and remember .com domains. For a deeper analysis of extension strategy for startups, read our guide on how to choose the best TLD.
Tips for Choosing a Strong Domain Name
Before you search for availability, know what makes a domain name worth registering. The best domain names share a few characteristics: they’re short (under 15 characters is good, under 10 is ideal), easy to spell, and easy to say out loud. If you have to spell it for someone on the phone, it’s probably too complicated.
Avoid hyphens and numbers — they reduce memorability, create confusion when shared verbally, and significantly lower resale value. Domain aftermarket sales hit a record $185 million in 2024, and the most valuable names are all clean, short, single-word or two-word .com domains. One-word .com domains regularly sell for millions on the aftermarket.
Check for trademark conflicts before you register. A domain name that infringes on an existing trademark can be taken from you through a UDRP dispute — and you won’t get a refund. Search your country’s trademark database and do a basic web search for the name before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a domain name is available?
Enter any domain name in the search bar above and click Analyze. Our tool checks availability across 12 popular TLDs (.com, .net, .org, .io, .ai, .co, .dev, .app, .me, .xyz, .info, .biz) using real-time DNS lookups. Results appear in seconds — no signup required.
Is it safe to search for domains on free checker websites?
Domain front-running — where a checker registers the domain you searched for — has been a concern since the early days of the web. Our tool uses client-side DNS lookups through Cloudflare, meaning your searches are never logged on our servers or shared with registrars. The domain you search stays between you and Cloudflare’s public DNS resolver.
Why do some available domains cost more than others?
Registries designate certain short, generic, or high-value domain names as “premium” domains. These can cost anywhere from $50 to $10,000+ per year — not just at purchase, but at every renewal. Always check the renewal price before registering a premium domain. Standard registration for most TLDs runs $10–$20/year for .com and varies by extension (see our comparison table above).
How much does it cost to register a domain name?
Standard .com registration costs $10–$20 per year at most registrars. Other extensions vary: .io runs $30–$50/year, .ai is $65–$160/year, and budget options like .xyz start around $5/year. First-year promotional pricing is common, so always check what the renewal price will be before purchasing.
Can I check domain availability without someone else registering my search?
Yes — our checker runs entirely in your browser. We query Cloudflare’s public DNS resolver to check each TLD, and no search data is stored or transmitted to domain registrars. Your searches remain private.
How long does it take for an expired domain to become available?
After a domain expires, it typically takes 65–80 days before it becomes publicly available. The process goes through three stages: a grace period (30–45 days), a redemption period (~30 days with a recovery fee of $50–$200+), and a pending delete phase (~5 days). After that, anyone can register it at the standard price.
Related Tools
📋 Found an available domain? Before you register, check its history with our Domain Age Checker — a “new” domain might actually be a previously dropped domain with existing backlinks or a problematic past.
🌐 Run a DNS Lookup to verify there are truly no existing records
🛡 Check the Domain Reputation to ensure it hasn’t been blacklisted.
📊 Curious whether a taken domain is actually being used? Run it through the Domain Traffic Checker to see if it has real visitors.
