WHOIS lookup

What does the WHOIS lookup check?

For most domains it uses RDAP, the structured successor to WHOIS that registries publish. The query goes through rdap.org, which forwards it to the right registry.

RDAP does not cover .pk. For .pk domains the tool asks PKNIC’s WHOIS server directly (whois.pknic.net.pk, the server IANA lists for .pk). When we tested it, PKNIC returned the creation date, expiry date, status and name servers, but not the registrar or the owner.

How do I read the result?

• Registrar: the company the domain was bought through. Renewals and transfers go through them.
• Created and Expires: the registration dates. The result turns yellow when fewer than 30 days are left.
• Status: “client transfer prohibited” means the domain is locked against transfer, which is normal for a domain you are keeping. “redemption period” or “pending delete” means it has expired and is close to being released.
• Name servers: where the domain’s DNS is managed. To move a site, this is usually what you change.

Questions and answers

Why don’t I see the owner’s name and email?

Most registries hide personal contact details for privacy. RDAP usually shows the registrar, the dates and the status only.

The tool found no record. Is the domain free?

Often, yes, but some registries do not publish RDAP data. Check with a registrar before you rely on it.

Can I look up a subdomain like shop.example.com?

Look up the main domain instead. The registration belongs to example.com, not to its subdomains. The tool removes www. for you.

Do you keep the domains I look up?

No. We do not save the names you enter.

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