What is ‘Whois’?

As per ICANN regulations, when a domain is registered, registrants must provide registrars with up-to-date contact information. This information is displayed publicly in the Whois database, which acts like a giant address book that anyone can view.

Try our Whois domain tool now to find out if that domain you’ve had your eye on has already been taken. If it’s available, great! Register it today. If it’s already in use, why not make them an offer they can’t refuse?

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Why is ‘Whois’ important and who can use it?

The Whois database makes it easy to find a website owner. This may be useful if you need to contact the domain name holder, or if you’re a legal team wanting to clarify ownership for a trademark dispute.

Domain buyers and sellers can also benefit by using Whois to view site ownership details fast, which helps the domain purchasing process go smoothly.

If you’re interested in acquiring a domain and want to find out if it’s already been registered, you can use our Whois search tool to check its availability.

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How do I use the Whois Lookup Tool?

Do you want to know more about a domain and find out who owns it? Use our domain owner lookup tool by entering the URL into the search bar above.

Here you will find the answers to important questions like:

  • Is the domain available for registering?
  • Who is the domain owner?
  • What contact information is available?
  • When is the registration expiration date?

Discover further information on any domain, and find new opportunities for your personal or professional website.

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How can I protect my privacy online?

If you’ve registered a domain and don’t want your personal contact information listed publicly, why not consider domain privacy protection?

Then, when someone searches for your web address on the Whois database, alternative contact information will be displayed instead of your personal information.

Here at Namecheap, we offer free Domain Privacy with every new registration and transfer.

Our domain privacy service provider does not require your personal information at any stage and any details you share with Namecheap will stay with us.

Plus, if you have privacy protection in place, it also limits the chance of marketing firms and online fraudsters from handling your contact information.

The domain I want has already been registered. What now?

Don’t panic, all is not lost. If the domain you like is currently registered by someone else, you have the option to present an offer to the domain owner, without having to navigate to another page. Select ‘Make offer’ and start negotiating!

Alternatively, if it’s free to be registered you can select ‘Add to cart’ and make your purchase.


Why Namecheap

Privacy and Security

Your website security and privacy comes first at Namecheap, and we will always support the rights of individuals and consumers online. It’s our mission to keep the Internet open, free, and safe for everyone.

Your Business Online

Boost your business with industry-premium products and services, at prices that won’t break your budget. If it doesn’t provide you with a better Internet experience, we simply don’t offer it.

Customer Service

You’re covered by a Support Team that’s renowned for being one of the most knowledgeable, friendly, and professional in the business. Real people are ready to assist you with any issue, any time, 24/7

Frequently asked questions

  • How do you find out who owns a domain?

    To find out where a domain is registered and who owns a domain, you can use a Whois lookup tool like ours. It combs the Whois database to return the information you need.

  • What is the Whois database?

    Each time a domain is registered, the registrant must give registrars (like us) up-to-date contact information. This information is listed in a giant public address book known as the Whois database.

    This database helps users find information about any domain name. It also means that a designated contact is established for the domain should any questions arise, such as a legal contact to discuss copyright infringement or technical contact to find out DNS configuration.

  • How do you find out who owns a private domain?

    If you want to see who owns a website, but the domain owner uses a privacy protection service, a generic address may still be available, and you can try contacting the owner this way. Alternatively, we recommend looking for an About Us or Contact Us page on the website, which can help point you to the owner.

  • Is it possible to change my Whois data?

    Yes, you can change the data associated with your domain name with your registrar. They will have the tools and processes to implement the changes you wish to make.

  • What are Whois thick and thin models?

    Thin and thick data models are used to store Whois information. A thin Whois lookup provides the registrar, name servers, and registration dates. For additional information, it's necessary to perform a further lookup, this time at the registrar on file, to get hold of complete information on the domain name ownership.

    A thick Whois lookup provides additional information beyond what's available from a thin Whois record. The extra details may contain contact information (registrant, administrative, and technical). A thick lookup supplies all the necessary information on who registered the domain name, where and when it was registered, the expiry date, and the nameservers it uses.

  • How accurate is Whois data?

    Extremely accurate! ICANN is committed to providing unrestricted, public access to complete and accurate Whois information, subject to applicable laws. To do that, registrars and registries are required to allow access to data collected for all their registered domain names. It is essential to understand that there is no way to hide the existence of a registered domain. Since ICANN-required contact information is publicly available in Whois directories, anyone can quickly search the Whois database to confirm the status of a domain.

    You can’t duck out of Whois by providing inaccurate information. Failing to supply accurate and reliable information can result in the loss of your right to use the domain name. The information stored in a Whois record is collected at the stage when a domain name is initially registered. Chances are, the information will change over time and become of date. Updating this information is key since domain name registrants must adhere to the rules of their registrar, or they risk losing their domain name.

Need help? We're always here for you.

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