WHOIS Lookup

1. Enter the Domain Name: Input the domain you want to investigate (e.g., example.com). Do not include http://, www, or paths—enter the bare domain name only. Both generic TLDs (.com, .org) and country-code TLDs (.co.uk, .de) are supported.
2. Click Lookup: The tool queries WHOIS servers to retrieve registration information. Note that some registrars use privacy services that mask owner details while still showing registration and expiration dates.
3. Review Registration Data: Examine the registrar name, creation date, expiration date, and last update time. The expiration date is critical for domain renewals—missing it can result in losing the domain.
4. Check Nameservers: The nameserver list shows which DNS providers are authoritative for the domain. This helps troubleshoot DNS issues and verify domain configuration after transfers or migrations.

WHOIS is a TCP-based query/response protocol (RFC 3912) that retrieves registration data from domain registrars and Regional Internet Registries. Each TLD maintains a WHOIS server—queries route to the appropriate server based on the domain extension. The protocol predates the web (1982) and returns plain-text responses.

GDPR (2018) significantly impacted WHOIS data availability. European registrars now redact personal registrant information by default, showing only technical data. Many registrars offer privacy protection services that substitute proxy contact information for the actual owner. ICANN's Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) is gradually replacing WHOIS, providing structured JSON responses and tiered access controls for different user types.

• Expecting Owner Details for GDPR-Protected Domains: Since 2018, EU regulations require registrars to redact personal information. Many domains show "REDACTED FOR PRIVACY" instead of owner contact details. This is standard compliance, not an error.
• Confusing Registrar and Hosting Provider: WHOIS shows the domain registrar (where the domain is registered), not the web hosting provider. A domain registered at GoDaddy can host on AWS—WHOIS only shows GoDaddy. Use DNS lookup to find the actual hosting IP.
• Ignoring Expiration Dates: Domains that expire can be grabbed by others within days. Set calendar reminders 60+ days before expiration, enable auto-renewal, and keep registrar payment methods current. Recovery after expiration is expensive if possible at all.

Need to see where a domain's servers are located? Use our DNS Lookup to query A records and find the hosting IP addresses. For determining the geographic location of those IPs, try the IP Geolocation Lookup.