WHOIS Lookup
Look up domain registration information using RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol).
example.com or example.co.uk. Subdomains and IP addresses are not accepted.How to do a WHOIS lookup
- Enter the registered domain, for example
example.comorexample.co.uk. A pasted URL is trimmed to its hostname and a leadingwww.is dropped. - Press Lookup. This server finds the registry's RDAP service for the TLD through the IANA bootstrap list and queries it, falling back to rdap.org when the registry server is unreachable.
- Read the dates, registrar and status first. Use Show Raw RDAP Data for every field the registry returned, or export the result.
Reading the results
- Registration dates: when the domain was registered, when it expires and when the record last changed. A domain registered a few days ago that sends you mail is a common phishing sign.
- Status: EPP status codes.
client transfer prohibitedis a registrar lock against unauthorised transfers, which you want on your own domains.activeis normal;pending deleteorredemption periodmeans the domain has expired and is about to be released. - Registrar: the company that sells and manages the registration, with its IANA ID. Report abuse of a domain to this registrar.
- Nameservers: where the domain's DNS is hosted, for example
ns1.example-dns.com. Compare them with the NS records in DNS when troubleshooting a migration. - DNSSEC: whether the registry holds a DS record, meaning the zone is signed.
- Registrant: shown only when the registry publishes it. Expect it to be redacted.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between WHOIS and RDAP?
Both return a domain's registration data. WHOIS is the old plain-text protocol with a different format per registry; RDAP is its replacement, served over HTTPS as structured JSON. ICANN made RDAP the official source for generic TLDs, which is why this lookup uses it.
Why is the domain owner's name hidden?
Since GDPR, most registries and registrars redact personal registrant data, and many domains also use a privacy service. To reach the owner, use the contact form or abuse address offered by the registrar, or the site's own security.txt.
How do I find out when a domain expires?
Look up the domain and read the Expires date under Registration Dates. Some ccTLD registries do not publish it. Registrars often renew automatically, so a date in the past can still belong to a domain in its grace period.
Why does the lookup fail for some country domains?
A few ccTLD registries, such as .be, .at, .es, .lu and .jp, do not offer RDAP. The tool then points you to the registry's own web WHOIS where it knows one. A "not found" answer from a registry usually means the name is not registered; the Domain Availability checker can confirm.
Can I look up a subdomain or an IP address?
No. Registries only hold the registered domain, so enter example.com, not mail.example.com. For the DNS records of any name use the DNS Record Lookup, and for an IP address the IP Info tool.