A domain name is the human-readable address of a website, such as namechk.com, that people type into a browser instead of a numeric IP address. It is made up of a second-level name (“namechk”) and a top-level domain (“.com”), and the Domain Name System (DNS) translates it into the IP address of the server hosting the site. You do not buy a domain outright: you register it through an ICANN-accredited registrar for one to ten years at a time, typically for about $11 to $25 a year for a .com.
This guide explains what a domain name is, how domain names work, the different parts and types, and how to choose and register one.
Updated October 2026.
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What is a domain name?
A domain name is a unique, easy-to-remember name that identifies a website or other service on the internet. Every website lives on a server with an IP address, such as 192.0.2.10, but people find words much easier to remember than numbers. The domain name is the label people use, and the internet’s directory system maps it to the right server.
Domain names are used for more than websites. They also power email addresses ([email protected]), and they act as a brand asset. A business’s domain often appears on business cards, packaging, ads and social media profiles.
A domain name is not the same as a URL or a website:
- Domain name: example.com
- URL: the full address of a specific page, such as https://www.example.com/blog/post-title/
- Website: the files and content stored on a web server, which the domain points to
Why do you need a domain name?
A domain name gives your business or project a permanent, professional address that you control. Even if you change web hosts or website builders, you keep the same domain, so customers can still find you.
A custom domain also builds trust. An address like yourbrand.com looks more credible than a free subdomain such as yourbrand.wixsite.com, and it lets you use branded email. Owning your domain also protects your name from being taken by competitors or impersonators.
What are the parts of a domain name?
Domain names are read from right to left, from the most general part to the most specific.
Top-level domain (TLD)
The top-level domain is the extension after the last dot, such as .com, .org, .uk or .shop. There are more than 1,400 TLDs in 2026, including generic extensions and two-letter country codes. Our guide to what TLDs are explains the types in detail.
Second-level domain
The second-level domain is the part directly to the left of the TLD, such as “namechk” in namechk.com. This is the part you choose when you register a domain, and it is usually your brand or business name. Some country-code domains use an extra level, such as .co.uk, where “co” is the second level and your name sits at the third level.
Subdomain
A subdomain is a prefix added to your domain, such as blog.example.com or shop.example.com. “www” is technically a subdomain too. Once you own a domain, you can create as many subdomains as you like at no extra cost, to separate sections of your site or different services.
How do domain names work?
When you type a domain name into your browser, a DNS lookup finds the IP address behind it:
- Your browser asks a DNS resolver, usually run by your internet provider or a public DNS service, for the domain’s IP address.
- The resolver asks a root nameserver, which points it to the servers for the domain’s TLD, such as .com.
- The TLD servers point to the domain’s authoritative nameservers, which are set at your registrar.
- The authoritative nameservers return the IP address in the domain’s DNS records.
- Your browser connects to that address and loads the website.
The process usually takes a fraction of a second, and answers are cached so repeat visits are even faster. Our guide to what DNS is explains each step in more detail.
Who manages domain names?
Domain names are managed through a layered system:
- ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) sets the policies for generic domains and accredits registrars.
- Registries operate each TLD and keep the master database of names registered under it. Verisign runs .com and .net, for example.
- Registrars are the companies that sell domain registrations to the public, such as Namecheap, Domain.com, Network Solutions and GoDaddy. They submit your registration to the registry.
- Registrants are the people or organizations who register domains. You have the right to use the domain for as long as you keep renewing it.
ICANN publishes a list of accredited registrars, so you can confirm a company is legitimate before you buy.
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Visit Network SolutionsHow do you choose a good domain name?
A strong domain name is short, clear and easy to share out loud. Follow these guidelines:
- Prefer .com when it is available. People type .com by default. Use a country code if you mainly serve one country, or .org for a nonprofit.
- Keep it short. Shorter names are easier to remember and less likely to be mistyped.
- Make it easy to spell and say. Avoid hyphens, numbers and unusual spellings that you would have to explain.
- Match your brand. Ideally, your domain matches your business name and your social media handles, so customers find you everywhere.
- Avoid trademarks. Using another company’s brand in your domain can lead to legal trouble. Read more about domain name disputes.
- Think long term. Do not tie the name to a single product or city if your business may grow beyond it.
If you are stuck, the domain name generator suggests available names based on your keywords.
How do you get a domain name?
Anyone can register a domain name. These are the steps:
- Choose your name and extension. Brainstorm a shortlist of options.
- Check availability. Use Namechk to see whether your name is available as a domain and as a username on major social networks at the same time.
- Pick a registrar. Compare first-year price, renewal price, free WHOIS privacy and DNS features. Popular registrars include Namecheap, Domain.com, Network Solutions and Squarespace Domains, which took over Google Domains customers. See our list of the best domain name registrars.
- Register and pay. You can register for one to ten years. Turn on auto-renew so the domain does not expire.
- Point the domain to your website. Connect it to your web host or website builder by updating nameservers or DNS records.
Many web hosts and website builders include a free domain for the first year with an annual plan. That can save money, but check the renewal price and make sure the domain is registered in your name. Our guide to getting a free domain name covers these offers.
How much does a domain name cost?
A .com domain typically costs about $11 to $25 a year in 2026, depending on the registrar. The .com registry’s wholesale price is $10.26 a year, rising to $10.97 on November 1, 2026, and registrars add their own margin and a small ICANN fee. Other extensions vary widely: some new extensions cost a few dollars in the first year but renew at much higher prices, and premium names, which are short or keyword-rich names priced higher by the registry or a reseller, can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Are domain names secure?
Your domain is a valuable asset, so protect it:
- Use a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication on your registrar account.
- Turn on registrar lock (transfer lock) to prevent unauthorized transfers.
- Keep your contact email current so renewal and security notices reach you.
- Enable auto-renew so the domain never lapses and gets registered by someone else.
- Use WHOIS privacy to keep your personal details out of public lookups. Many registrars include it free.
- Consider DNSSEC, which protects visitors from forged DNS answers.
FAQs
What is a domain name in simple terms?
A domain name is the address people type to reach a website, such as namechk.com. It replaces the hard-to-remember numeric IP address of the server where the site is hosted. A domain name has a chosen name, like namechk, and an extension called a top-level domain, like .com. It is registered through a registrar and renewed every year or every few years.
Can I change my domain registrar?
Yes. Moving a domain to another registrar is called a domain transfer. Remove the transfer lock at your current registrar, request the authorization (EPP) code, and start the transfer at the new registrar, which usually adds a year to your registration. Under ICANN rules, registrars can block transfers for 60 days after a domain is registered or previously transferred.
How much does a domain name cost per year?
A .com domain usually costs about $11 to $25 a year in 2026, depending on the registrar. The wholesale .com price set by Verisign is $10.26 a year, rising to $10.97 on November 1, 2026. Other extensions range from a few dollars to more than $50 a year, and premium names can cost far more.
How can I find out who owns a domain name?
Use ICANN’s lookup tool at lookup.icann.org or your registrar’s lookup, which query the RDAP registration data system that has replaced WHOIS for generic domains. Many owners use privacy services, so you may only see the registrar’s details. To contact a private owner, use the relay email or contact form the registrar provides, or work through a domain broker.
Do I own my domain name forever?
No. You register a domain name for a fixed period, from one to ten years, and keep the right to use it as long as you renew it on time. If a domain expires, there is usually a grace period to renew, after which it can be deleted and registered by someone else. Turning on auto-renew prevents accidental loss.
Can I sell my domain name?
Yes. Domain names can be bought and sold, and the aftermarket is a large industry. You can list a domain on a marketplace or use a broker, and you should always complete the sale through an escrow service so the buyer’s payment and the domain transfer are protected. Short, memorable .com names command the highest prices.
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