Who owns a domain?
This free WHOIS lookup shows the public registration record for any domain: who it's registered with, how old it is, when it expires and where its DNS is hosted. Useful when you want to buy a domain that's taken, check a site before trusting it, or keep an eye on when a name might become free.
If the domain isn't registered at all, you'll see that straight away – or check many extensions at once with the domain availability checker.
What a WHOIS record tells you
Registrar
The company the domain is registered through, such as Namecheap, GoDaddy or Cloudflare.
Registration date
When the domain was first registered. Older domains often carry more trust and history.
Expiry date
When the current registration runs out unless it’s renewed.
Name servers
Where the domain’s DNS is hosted – often a hint at the hosting provider or CDN.
Status codes
Locks and lifecycle states, e.g. whether a domain can be transferred or is about to be deleted.
DNSSEC
Whether the domain’s DNS records are cryptographically signed against spoofing.
The domain you want is taken – now what?
- Check the expiry date. If it's close and the site looks abandoned, the domain may drop soon.
- Contact the owner through the registrar's contact form, or look for a “for sale” page on the domain itself. Read our guide to buying and flipping domains first.
- Find an alternative with the AI domain name generator, which only suggests names that are still available.
Frequently asked questions
What is a WHOIS lookup?+
WHOIS is the public record of who registered a domain name. A WHOIS lookup shows the registrar, the dates the domain was registered and will expire, its name servers and its status codes – and, where the owner hasn’t enabled privacy, their contact details.
Why can’t I see the domain owner’s name or email?+
Since GDPR came into force in 2018, most registrars hide personal contact details by default and show a privacy service or “REDACTED FOR PRIVACY” instead. To reach the owner, use the contact form or abuse email listed by the registrar.
What is the difference between WHOIS and RDAP?+
RDAP is the modern replacement for WHOIS. It returns the same registration data in a structured format and is now the official source for generic extensions like .com. Domize queries RDAP first and also shows the classic raw WHOIS record when one is available.
How can I find out when a domain expires?+
Look up the domain above and check the “Expires on” date. Most domains are renewed automatically, but if one isn’t, it typically goes through a grace and redemption period of 30–75 days before it becomes available to register again.
What do status codes like “client transfer prohibited” mean?+
They are EPP status codes that lock a domain against certain changes. “clientTransferProhibited” is a normal registrar lock that prevents unauthorized transfers. “redemptionPeriod” or “pendingDelete” mean the domain has expired and may soon be released.