1500+ Domain Extensions

The Complete Guide to World Domain Names

Discover comprehensive information about every domain extension available. From classic .com to country-specific ccTLDs and modern new gTLDs, find everything you need to know about domain names worldwide.

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.com .de .uk .jp .io
0M+
Registered Domains Worldwide
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Active TLD Extensions
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Country Code TLDs
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New Generic TLDs

Discover the most widely used top-level domains around the world. Each extension serves different purposes and audiences, from global commerce to country-specific websites.

.com
Commercial
160M+ domains

The most popular TLD globally, originally intended for commercial entities but now used universally for all types of websites.

.de
Germany
17M+ domains

Germany's country code TLD, one of the largest ccTLDs in the world and widely used by German businesses and organizations.

.uk
United Kingdom
11M+ domains

The official country code for the United Kingdom, often used as .co.uk for commercial sites and .org.uk for organizations.

.org
Organization
10M+ domains

Originally designated for non-profit organizations, now open to all. Popular with charities, open-source projects, and communities.

.net
Network
13M+ domains

Originally for network infrastructure providers, now commonly used as an alternative when .com is unavailable.

.io
Tech/Startups
2M+ domains

British Indian Ocean Territory ccTLD that became extremely popular with tech startups and software companies due to its association with input/output.

.cn
China
20M+ domains

China's country code TLD, one of the largest ccTLDs globally. Requires local presence or agent for registration.

.app
Applications
1M+ domains

A new gTLD specifically for mobile and web applications. Requires HTTPS for all websites, enhancing security by default.

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Domain Extensions Around the World

Every country and territory has its own unique domain extension called a ccTLD (country code top-level domain). These two-letter extensions are assigned by IANA based on ISO 3166-1 country codes.

North America .us .ca .mx
Europe .de .uk .fr .es .it .nl
Asia Pacific .jp .cn .au .in .kr
Middle East .ae .sa .il .tr

How Domain Names Work

Understanding the Domain Name System (DNS) helps you make better decisions when registering and managing domain names. Here's a simplified overview of the process.

1

User Types Domain

When you enter a domain name like example.com in your browser, your device needs to find the corresponding IP address to connect to the website's server.

2

DNS Lookup

Your request travels through DNS resolvers including root servers, TLD nameservers, and authoritative nameservers to translate the domain into an IP address.

3

Website Loads

Once the IP address is found, your browser connects to the web server and downloads the website content. This entire process happens in milliseconds.

The DNS Resolution Process

The Domain Name System operates as a hierarchical distributed database. When you request a website, your browser first checks its local cache. If not found, it queries a recursive DNS resolver (usually provided by your ISP or services like Google DNS or Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1). The resolver then queries the root nameservers, which direct it to the appropriate TLD nameserver based on the domain extension. The TLD nameserver points to the authoritative nameserver for that specific domain, which finally returns the IP address. Modern DNS implementations include caching at multiple levels and security features like DNSSEC to prevent spoofing attacks.

Types of Domain Extensions

Domain extensions are categorized into different types based on their purpose, restrictions, and governing policies. Understanding these categories helps you choose the right domain for your needs.

Generic TLDs (gTLDs)

Generic top-level domains are open for registration by anyone worldwide without geographic or purpose restrictions. These are the most commonly used extensions for websites.

.com .org .net .info .biz

Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs)

Two-letter extensions assigned to countries and territories based on ISO 3166-1 codes. Some require local presence while others are open for international registration.

.de .uk .fr .jp .au

New gTLDs

Introduced since 2012 through ICANN's New gTLD Program, these extensions offer more descriptive and industry-specific options for branding and marketing purposes.

.app .tech .shop .blog .cloud

Sponsored TLDs (sTLDs)

Specialized extensions sponsored by specific communities or industries. Registration is restricted to eligible applicants who meet defined criteria.

.edu .gov .mil .museum .aero

Brand TLDs

Top-level domains owned and operated by companies exclusively for their brand. These require significant investment and are typically used by large corporations.

.google .apple .amazon .bmw

Geographic TLDs

Domain extensions representing cities, regions, or geographic areas. Perfect for local businesses and community organizations wanting to emphasize their location.

.london .tokyo .nyc .berlin .paris

How to Choose the Right Domain Extension

Selecting the perfect domain extension is crucial for your online success. Consider these factors when making your decision.

1

Consider Your Target Audience

If you're targeting a specific country, a ccTLD like .de for Germany or .fr for France can boost local SEO and build trust with local customers. For global audiences, .com remains the most recognized and trusted extension worldwide.

2

Match Your Industry or Purpose

New gTLDs offer industry-specific options that can reinforce your brand message. A tech startup might benefit from .io or .tech, while an online store could leverage .shop or .store. Non-profits traditionally use .org for credibility.

3

Think About Memorability

Shorter domain names with familiar extensions are easier to remember and type. While creative new TLDs can be eye-catching, ensure your audience will remember and easily find your website. Classic extensions like .com are universally understood.

4

Check Registration Requirements

Some domain extensions have specific registration requirements. Many ccTLDs require local presence or business registration, while sponsored TLDs like .edu are restricted to accredited institutions. Always verify eligibility before planning your registration.

5

Consider Brand Protection

Registering your brand name across multiple TLDs protects against domain squatting and phishing attempts. Consider securing at least .com, your local ccTLD, and any industry-relevant extensions to safeguard your brand identity online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common questions about domain names, extensions, and the domain registration process.

A domain name is a human-readable address used to access websites on the internet. It consists of a name (like 'example') and an extension (like '.com'). Domain names translate to IP addresses through the Domain Name System (DNS), making it easier for users to navigate the web without memorizing numerical addresses.

For example, instead of typing 142.250.185.46 to reach Google, you simply type google.com. Domain names can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but cannot start or end with a hyphen or exceed 63 characters (not including the extension).

gTLDs (Generic Top-Level Domains) are general-purpose extensions like .com, .org, or .net that anyone can register. They were the original domain extensions and remain the most popular today.

ccTLDs (Country Code Top-Level Domains) are two-letter extensions assigned to specific countries or territories, such as .uk for the United Kingdom, .de for Germany, or .jp for Japan. Some ccTLDs have residency requirements while others are open for international registration.

The key differences are: ccTLDs can improve local SEO for country-specific searches, some ccTLDs have registration restrictions, and ccTLDs typically signal to users that a website is targeted at a specific geographic market.

As of 2024, there are over 1,500 active top-level domains (TLDs) in use worldwide. This includes approximately 250 country-code TLDs (ccTLDs), over 1,200 generic TLDs (gTLDs), and various sponsored and infrastructure TLDs.

The number continues to grow as ICANN approves new extensions. Since 2012, ICANN's New gTLD Program has introduced hundreds of new extensions ranging from industry-specific (.tech, .bank) to geographic (.london, .tokyo) to brand TLDs (.google, .apple).

New gTLDs are generic top-level domains introduced after ICANN's New gTLD Program launched in 2012. This program was the largest expansion of the domain name system in internet history.

These include industry-specific extensions like .tech, .shop, .app, geographic names like .london, .tokyo, .nyc, and brand TLDs owned by companies. They offer more choices beyond traditional extensions like .com or .net, allowing businesses and individuals to find more relevant and available domain names.

Some new gTLDs have special features, like .app and .dev requiring HTTPS connections, or .bank having strict verification requirements for financial institutions.

The Domain Name System (DNS) works like the internet's phone book. When you type a domain name in your browser, DNS servers translate it into an IP address that computers use to identify each other on the network.

This process involves multiple steps: your request first goes to a recursive resolver (usually provided by your ISP or a public DNS service). If the address isn't cached, the resolver queries root nameservers, which direct it to TLD nameservers (like those managing all .com domains). The TLD nameserver then points to the authoritative nameserver for that specific domain, which finally returns the correct IP address.

This entire process typically takes just milliseconds, and results are cached at multiple levels to speed up future requests.

Not all domain extensions are available to everyone. While generic TLDs like .com, .net, and .org are open for anyone to register, many extensions have restrictions.

Country-code TLDs may require local presence or residency. For example, .us requires US citizenship or permanent residency, while .eu requires EU citizen or business. However, many ccTLDs like .io, .co, and .me are open to international registrations.

Sponsored TLDs have strict eligibility requirements: .edu is only for accredited educational institutions, .gov for US government agencies, and .bank for verified financial institutions. Brand TLDs are exclusively owned by their respective companies.

WHOIS is a public database that contains registration information for domain names, including the registrant's name, address, email, and phone number. This information is publicly accessible by default for most domain extensions.

Domain privacy (also called WHOIS privacy or privacy protection) is a service offered by registrars that replaces your personal information in the WHOIS database with the information of a proxy service. This protects your personal data from spammers, marketers, and identity thieves.

Since GDPR came into effect, many registrars automatically redact personal information for EU-based registrants. Some TLDs, like many ccTLDs, don't offer privacy protection due to local regulations.

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