What is a WHOIS lookup?
Quick answerA WHOIS lookup shows the public registration record of a domain: which registrar it is registered with, when it was created and when it expires, its nameservers and status codes. Today this data comes from RDAP, the standardised replacement for WHOIS, and owner contact details are usually redacted for privacy.
What this lookup shows
- Registrar: the company the domain is registered through
- Created / expires / updated dates, plus domain age
- Nameservers, which usually reveal the DNS or hosting provider
- Status codes such as clientTransferProhibited or redemptionPeriod
- DNSSEC signing status
Owner contact details are usually redacted for privacy under GDPR and registrar privacy services. To reach an owner, use the registrar's contact form or a marketplace. Learn more in WHOIS, RDAP & domain privacy explained and what happens when a domain expires.
Whois lookup FAQ
Is RDAP the same as WHOIS?
RDAP is the modern, standardised replacement for WHOIS. It returns structured data over HTTPS, and ICANN now requires it for generic TLDs.
Why can't I see the owner's name?
Most registrars redact personal data for privacy. You can usually contact the owner through the registrar's relay form.
Can I get notified when a domain expires?
Yes. Click "Watch + calendar reminder" to download an .ics file with alerts 30 days and 1 day before expiry.
Is this WHOIS lookup free?
Yes, unlimited and free, with no sign-up. Lookups run in your browser against the registry RDAP servers.