WHOIS lookup
See when a domain was registered, which registrar holds it, when it expires and its name servers.
Want a name that's taken?
- Check the expiry date. Some owners forget to renew, and the name drops after a grace and redemption period.
- Visit the site. A "for sale" page or a parked page with ads often means the owner would sell.
- Make a polite offer through the registrar's contact form or a broker, and never pay outside a trusted escrow service.
Questions people ask
Can I see who owns a domain?
Usually not. Most registrars hide the owner's name, email and address for privacy. You can see the registrar, dates, status and name servers. To contact an owner, use the registrar's contact form or a broker.
What is RDAP?
The Registration Data Access Protocol, the modern replacement for WHOIS. It returns the same registration facts in a structured format, and ICANN now requires it for generic domains like .com.
What does 'clientTransferProhibited' mean?
The domain is locked at its registrar so it can't be moved without the owner unlocking it. It's a normal security setting, not a problem.