WHOIS Lookup

Search a domain's availability and public registration details.

Enter a domain and extension without https:// or a page path.

What Can I Do With WHOIS Lookup?

WHOIS lookup lets you retrieve publicly available information about a domain name and use it for domain-related checks. The three main purposes of a WHOIS lookup are given below.

  1. Check Domain Availability: Check whether a domain name is already registered or currently available for registration.
  2. Identify the Domain Registrant or Owner: Identify any available and publicly disclosed registration details associated with a domain, such as the registrant name or organization.
  3. Check Domain Expiry: Check the domain's registration and expiry dates to determine when the current registration period ends.

How Do I Use the WHOIS Lookup Tool?

Use the WHOIS Lookup Tool to retrieve available registration information for a domain name by following the 4 steps below.

  • First, Enter the Domain Name: Enter the domain name you want to check into the WHOIS lookup field, including its extension, such as .com, .sg, or .org. For example, type “business.com” into the WHOIS Lookup Tool.
  • Second, Start the WHOIS Lookup: Click the “Lookup” button to submit the domain name. The tool then queries the relevant domain registration database to retrieve the available WHOIS information.
  • Third, Wait for the Lookup Results: Wait for the tool to process the request and display the available registration information. The information shown depends on what the relevant registry and registrar make publicly available.
  • Fourth, Review and Use the WHOIS Information: Review details such as the domain's registration status, registrar, registration date, expiry date, nameservers, and available registrant information. Use these details to check whether the domain is currently registered, identify available ownership information, or determine when the domain registration expires.

Can I Register a Domain Name via WHOIS Lookup?

Yes, you can register a domain name via WHOIS Lookup if the domain is available and the WHOIS lookup tool you choose provides a domain registration option. Domain registration refers to securing a domain name for your own use through a domain registrar for a specified period. Our WHOIS Lookup tool helps to confirm whether a domain is currently available and then provides a convenient direct link to register the domain for yourself via CLDY.

What Can I Do If the Domain Name I Want Is Registered?

If the domain name you want is already registered, use WHOIS Lookup to review its registrar, registration status, expiry date, and available registrant information. If contact information is publicly available, you can reach out to the domain owner to make an inquiry or offer about purchasing or transferring the domain. If the ownership details are private, contact the listed registrar to check if they provide a way to forward a message to the registrant.

What Is WHOIS Lookup?

WHOIS Lookup is a query and response tool that retrieves publicly available registration information about a domain name from domain registration databases. WHOIS lookups then display registered domain details such as the domain's registration status, registrar, registration and expiry dates, nameservers, and available registrant information. WHOIS lookup is also known as an ICANN lookup.

WHOIS Lookup is not the same as WHOIS. WHOIS refers to the underlying protocol and system used to query domain registration information. A WHOIS lookup is the search performed using a tool or service to retrieve that information.

What Is WHOIS?

WHOIS is a domain registration information system that contains registration details for domain names. It includes the registrar, registration dates, expiry dates, nameservers, and available registrant information. WHOIS data is collected and maintained through domain registries and registrars under policies established by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).

What Is ICANN?

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is a nonprofit organization that coordinates the global Domain Name System (DNS). ICANN develops and coordinates policies for generic top-level domains (gTLDs) and works with registries, registrars, and other organizations to maintain the stable and consistent operation of the DNS. The ICANN oversees the policies and systems that support WHOIS registration data for many generic top-level domains.

Why Does ICANN Maintain a WHOIS Database?

ICANN maintains a WHOIS database because domain registration data needs to be managed in a consistent and coordinated way across the global Domain Name System (DNS). The WHOIS database is important for supporting transparency, accountability, and security by helping authorized parties investigate domain-related abuse, resolve registration issues, verify registration information where available, and support the reliable operation of the DNS.

How Does WHOIS Lookup Work?

WHOIS Lookup works by querying the registration data associated with the domain name you enter. The lookup service sends a request to the relevant domain registry or registrar database and retrieves the registration information that is publicly available. The results are then displayed in the WHOIS lookup tool, including details such as the domain registrar, registration status, creation and expiry dates, and nameservers. Be aware that certain domain registrant details may remain hidden or redacted because of privacy services or applicable data protection requirements.

Is WHOIS Lookup Free?

Yes, WHOIS Lookup is free to check publicly available domain registration information. WHOIS lookup tools allow you to check a domain name without creating an account or paying a fee. Certain WHOIS services, such as automated bulk lookups, historical WHOIS data, and developer APIs, may require payment.

Yes, using WHOIS Lookup is legal to access publicly available domain registration information for legitimate purposes. The information obtained through a WHOIS lookup should not be used for unlawful activities such as harassment, spam, fraud, or unauthorized attempts to access a domain owner's accounts or systems.

What Are the Different Types of WHOIS Lookup?

The 2 different types of WHOIS lookup are thin WHOIS lookups and thick WHOIS lookups. A thin WHOIS lookup retrieves limited domain information from the registry, such as the domain name, registration status, registrar, and nameservers. Additional registrant information, such as the registrant’s name, organization, email address, and contact details, is held by the registrar rather than the central registry. A thick WHOIS lookup retrieves more complete registration information from the registry. This typically includes the domain name, registrar, registration dates, nameservers, and registrant details where those details are publicly available.

How Accurate Is the WHOIS Lookup Data?

WHOIS lookup data is highly accurate because it comes from the domain's registrar or registry, however accuracy also depends on the information provided and maintained by the domain registrant. Details shown in a WHOIS lookup, such as the registrar, domain status, registration date, and expiry date, are generally reliable. Registrant contact information on WHOIS lookups may be outdated, protected by privacy services, or redacted.

Why Is Some Information Hidden in the WHOIS Lookup Results?

Some information is hidden in WHOIS lookup results to protect registrants’ personal information from unnecessary public exposure. Details such as a registrant’s name, address, phone number, and email address can be used for spam, phishing, identity theft, harassment, or other unwanted contact, so their disclosure may be restricted by privacy laws and registrar or registry policies. Personal information may also be hidden when a domain owner uses a WHOIS privacy or proxy service. The exact information in the WHOIS Lookup result shown therefore depends on the domain extension, the registry or registrar, applicable data protection requirements, and whether a privacy service is being used.

How Do I Protect My WHOIS Privacy?

You protect your WHOIS privacy by using a domain privacy or WHOIS privacy service offered by your domain registrar. These domain privacy protection services replace or hide eligible personal contact details in public registration records while retaining the information required by the registrar or registry. Domain registrars like CLDY offer complimentary WHOIS privacy for each domain registered.

How Do I Update My WHOIS Information?

You update your WHOIS information by logging in to your domain registrar account and editing the registrant or administrative contact details associated with your domain. After submitting the changes, the registrar updates the relevant registration record. Some changes require verification before they become effective.

What Is the Difference Between WHOIS Lookup and DNS Lookup?

The difference between WHOIS Lookup and DNS Lookup lies in the type of domain information each one retrieves. WHOIS Lookup provides registration information such as the registrar, registration date, expiry date, domain status, and available registrant details. DNS Lookup retrieves DNS (Domain Name System) records that control how a domain connects to online services, such as A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, and TXT records. WHOIS is mainly used to check domain registration information, whereas DNS Lookup is used to check domain configuration and routing information.