Whois Lookup

Look up domain registration details (WHOIS/RDAP) in seconds. Enter a domain or IP to see the registrar, registrant/organization (when public), name servers, creation date, expiration date, status codes (clientTransferProhibited, etc.), and contact channels exposed by the registry. Use this WHOIS lookup to verify ownership, check expiry, investigate disputes, and audit compliance. Long-tail uses include domain owner search, ICANN WHOIS checker, domain age checker, and domain expiry check.

What is a WHOIS Lookup?

A WHOIS lookup queries public registration data for domains and IP address allocations. Modern registries increasingly expose this data via RDAP (the successor to WHOIS) which returns structured JSON with referral links and abuse contacts. Our domain registrar lookup normalizes both WHOIS and RDAP so you can read it easily.

Why and when to use it

• Ownership verification: Confirm who controls a domain and when it was registered (useful during acquisitions).
• Renewal planning: Track domain expiration date and auto-renew status to prevent lapses.
• Abuse reporting: Find registrar abuse contacts and status flags to report phishing or malware.
• Brand protection: Monitor typo domains and new registrations targeting your brand.
• Technical ops: Cross-check name servers and registry/registrar locks before DNS or transfer changes.

How to use the WHOIS / RDAP tool

1. Enter a domain or IP (e.g., example.com or 203.0.113.10).
2. Click Search. We query WHOIS and/or RDAP and follow referrals if the TLD uses a thick registry.
3. Review the output: registrar, creation/updated/expiry, statuses, name servers, and contacts.
4. Use filters to copy raw text, export JSON, or set a domain expiry reminder.

Key fields you’ll see

• Domain Status: e.g., clientTransferProhibited, clientHold—impacts transfers/DNS.
• Registrant/Org: May be redacted or replaced by a privacy proxy (GDPR, local laws).
• Registrar: Company managing the domain (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap); includes IANA ID.
• Dates: Creation, Updated, Registry Expiry—useful for domain age and renewals.
• Name Servers: Current DNS providers—helpful for migration timelines.
• Abuse Contacts: Email/URL to report spam, malware, or policy violations.

WHOIS vs RDAP

WHOIS is legacy, free-form text, varying per registry. RDAP is standardized, authenticated-capable, and returns structured data with links to authoritative sources. Our ICANN WHOIS search automatically prefers RDAP where available, falling back to WHOIS when necessary.

Who uses this tool?

• Domain investors & buyers: Validate domain age, ownership, and lock status before negotiating.
• Security & trust teams: Pivot on registrar lookup, status codes, and abuse contacts during takedowns.
• IT & DevOps: Confirm delegation/locks prior to DNS changes or transfers.
• Legal & brand protection: Support UDRP/URS filings and trademark enforcement.

Limitations & compliance notes

• Redaction & privacy: GDPR and local policies often hide personal data, showing privacy-protected WHOIS or proxy contacts.
• Rate limits: Registries/registrars throttle queries; exports may be limited for heavy use.
• Currency of data: Registry info is authoritative; registrar WHOIS mirrors can lag—use RDAP referrals when possible.
• Ownership inference: Matching name servers or emails suggests—but does not prove—common ownership.

Best practices

• Check both registry and registrar results; follow RDAP links for the source of truth.
• Watch status codes (e.g., clientHold may indicate billing or abuse issues).
• Automate reminders for domain expiration checks across your portfolio.
• Combine with DNS tools to validate name servers and post-transfer propagation.

Examples

# Domain WHOIS/RDAP summary Domain: example.com Registrar: Example Registrar, Inc. (IANA 9999) Created: 1995-08-13 Updated: 2025-08-01 Registry Expiry: 2030-08-12 Status: clientTransferProhibited, clientUpdateProhibited Name Servers: ns1.example.net, ns2.example.net Abuse: abuse@example-registrar.com
IP allocation (ARIN/RIPE/etc. RDAP)

NetRange: 203.0.113.0 - 203.0.113.255
OrgName: Example Corp
AbuseContact: abuse@example.net

FAQ

How do I find the owner of a domain?

Run a domain owner search. If data is privacy-protected, use the proxy contact, registrar abuse form, or the site’s own contact page.

Why is some data hidden?

Due to privacy laws and registry policy, personal details may be redacted. RDAP often provides a webform or anonymized email to reach the registrant.

Is WHOIS data always accurate?

Registrants must provide accurate info under ICANN rules, but errors happen. Cross-check with DNS, SSL certificate transparency, and hosting data.

Can I check when a domain will expire?

Yes—the domain expiry check shows the registry expiration date; set renewals well before that deadline to avoid redemption fees.

Related long-tail searches we cover

whois lookup tool, ICANN whois search, domain owner search, domain registration details, registrar lookup, domain age checker, domain expiry check, privacy-protected whois, how to find domain owner, RDAP lookup