Free, likely free or taken: how to read the result
Free: the registry answers that the name does not exist, you can register it. Likely free: the extension has no public RDAP service and the name has no DNS record; check it with a registrar before deciding. Taken: the name is registered, the WHOIS lookup tells you since when and with which registrar, and whether it will expire soon.
Choosing a good domain name
- Short, easy to say and to spell: avoid double letters and hyphens if you can.
- Take the .com if it is free, and the country extension of your main market.
- Check the brand: a free domain does not mean a free trademark. Search the trademark databases of your country before you print anything.
- Register the most obvious typo variants if your brand is exposed: our typosquatting guide explains why.
The name you want is taken?
Look at its expiry date in the WHOIS: if it is in redemptionPeriod or pendingDelete, it will soon be free again. Before buying a domain that already lived, run a domain health check to make sure it does not carry spam, penalties or toxic links: see the guide to buying an expired domain name.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a domain name is available?
Type it in the checker: the registry of each extension is queried directly. Free means you can register it right away with any registrar.
Why "likely free"?
Some registries (.eu, .io, .co, .be, .ch…) have no public RDAP service. We then check the DNS: no name servers usually means a free name, but only the registrar can confirm.
Do you reserve the names I search for?
No. Nothing is reserved or resold. Results are kept in cache for a few hours to answer faster, without being linked to you.
Which extension should I choose?
The .com for an international audience, the country extension for a local one, and a thematic extension (.shop, .app, .io) only as a complement.