Lookup Domain

About WHOIS Lookup

WHOIS is a protocol used to query databases that store registration information for domain names. Our tool uses RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol), the modern successor to WHOIS, which provides structured, machine-readable data about domain registrations.

✓Registrar & registration dates
✓Name servers & DNSSEC
✓Domain status codes
✓JSON export & copy to clipboard

Complete Guide to WHOIS Domain Lookup

What Is WHOIS?

WHOIS (pronounced "who is") is a widely used internet protocol for querying databases to obtain information about domain name registrations, IP address allocations, and autonomous systems. When you register a domain name, your contact and registration details are stored in a WHOIS database maintained by your registrar and registry operators.

WHOIS vs RDAP

Our tool uses RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol), the modern replacement for the legacy WHOIS protocol. RDAP was designed by the IETF to address the limitations of WHOIS and offers several advantages:

  • Structured data: Returns JSON instead of unstructured text, making it reliable to parse
  • Internationalization: Supports non-ASCII characters and multiple languages
  • Standardized: Consistent format across all registries and registrars
  • Secure: Supports HTTPS by default for encrypted queries
  • Access control: Built-in support for differentiated access levels

What Information Can You Find?

📋 Registration Details

  • Domain registrar name
  • Registration (creation) date
  • Last update date
  • Expiration date
  • DNSSEC signing status

🌐 Technical Details

  • Authoritative name servers
  • Domain status codes (EPP)
  • Contact entities and roles
  • Registrant organization
  • Registrant country

How to Use This Tool

  1. Enter Domain: Type or paste a domain name (e.g., example.com). URLs like https://www.example.com/path are automatically cleaned.
  2. Click Lookup: The tool queries the RDAP service to fetch registration data in real time.
  3. Browse Results: Switch between Overview, Contacts, and Raw Data tabs to explore different aspects of the WHOIS record.
  4. Export: Copy a text summary to your clipboard, or download the full data as a JSON file.

Understanding Domain Status Codes

active: The domain is registered and active.

client transfer prohibited: The registrar has locked the domain to prevent unauthorized transfers. This is a common security measure.

client delete prohibited: The domain cannot be deleted without first lifting this restriction.

client update prohibited:Changes to the domain's WHOIS data are restricted.

server hold: Set by the registry. The domain is not activated in DNS.

redemption period: The domain has been deleted and is in a recovery grace period.

Common Use Cases

Domain Research: Check if a domain is registered, who owns it, and when it expires. Useful before purchasing a domain or investigating a website.

Security & Fraud Prevention: Verify the legitimacy of a website by checking its registration age, registrar, and contact information. Newly registered domains with hidden ownership may be suspicious.

Trademark Protection: Monitor domain registrations that may infringe on trademarks. Check registrant details and registration dates.

Expiry Monitoring: Track when your domains or competitor domains expire. Set reminders before expiration to avoid losing a domain.

Technical Troubleshooting: Verify name server configuration, check DNSSEC status, and review domain status codes when troubleshooting DNS issues.

SEO & Competitive Analysis:Domain age is a factor in search engine rankings. Check how long a competitor's domain has been registered and its history.

Privacy & GDPR

Since the introduction of GDPR regulations in 2018, many registrars redact personal contact information from public WHOIS records. You may see "REDACTED FOR PRIVACY" in place of registrant names, addresses, and email addresses. This is normal and applies to most domains registered through European registrars or with privacy protection enabled.

ℹī¸ Data Source

This tool queries RDAP servers maintained by domain registries (e.g., Verisign for .com, PIR for .org). Results are fetched in real time and not cached or stored. Your queries are sent directly from your browser to the RDAP endpoint.

Learn About WHOIS

Discover the history of the WHOIS protocol, understand WHOIS vs RDAP, EPP status codes, the domain lifecycle, GDPR privacy impact, and best practices for domain research.

Read the Full Guide

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