How we check names and prices

Is it free or taken?

For every name, our server asks the official registry for that ending using RDAP, the system registries use to share domain records. We find the right registry from the public list kept by IANA.

• Free: the registry says the name is not registered.
• Taken: the registry has a record for it. We also show the dates it gives us.
• Not sure: the registry did not answer in time, or that ending does not offer RDAP. In that case we check DNS. If the name has DNS records, it is taken. If not, we still say "Not sure", because a name with no DNS can still be owned.

Things to know

• Answers are saved for a few minutes so the site stays fast. A "Free" answer is kept for 10 minutes at most.
• Some names are "premium" or reserved. The registry may say they are not registered, but the store will ask a higher price or will not sell them. The store always shows the final word at checkout.
• Some endings have rules, like .us (US connection), .ca (Canada) or .com.au (Australia). We show a short note when that is the case.

Where do the prices come from?

From the public price list of Porkbun, in US dollars, refreshed every 12 hours. We show the first-year price and the renewal price. Other stores charge different prices. We do not estimate or make up prices.

Who owns it?

Dates and the store name come from the registry record. Owner names are usually hidden for privacy, so we do not show them.

Name ideas

Ideas are made by our own word engine, then checked one by one with the registry. We only list ideas that came back "Free".

Spotted a mistake?

Tell us on the contact page. We fix real problems fast.