How is RDAP different from WHOIS?

Both answer the same questions, but RDAP uses standardised HTTP+JSON endpoints run by registries, replacing the fragmented plain-text WHOIS protocol. This tool speaks RDAP only, which keeps parsing reliable.

Why can some domains not be looked up?

RDAP coverage is still growing: some country-code registries do not yet expose an RDAP server, in which case the lookup fails even though the domain exists.

Why do I no longer see the owner's name and address?

GDPR and similar rules made registries redact personal contact data. You still get registrar, dates and status — the operational facts — but not private individuals' details.

WHOIS lookup — Guide

Look up domain registration data such as registrar, dates and status. Powered by RDAP, the official successor of WHOIS.

What it is and when to use it

Look up registration data for a domain — registrar, creation and expiry dates, status codes and nameservers — using RDAP, the official successor to classic WHOIS. RDAP returns structured, machine-readable responses instead of free-form text, so the results are consistent and easy to scan.

Looks up domain registration details: registrar, registration and expiry dates, and domain status. The data comes from RDAP, the official successor to WHOIS.

How to use it

Enter the domain (pasting a full URL works — only the host name is used)
Click lookup WHOIS or press enter
Copy the registration details

A worked example

Fill in a sample domain

example.com

Copy this into the tool, or open WHOIS lookup

Things that trip people up

The lookup is made by this site's server-side endpoint, so it requires the site to be deployed; local development requests will fail
The registration data is returned as the endpoint provides it; different suffixes (.com / .cn / .io …) vary in detail and may not all include an expiry date

Questions people ask

How is RDAP different from WHOIS?: Both answer the same questions, but RDAP uses standardised HTTP+JSON endpoints run by registries, replacing the fragmented plain-text WHOIS protocol. This tool speaks RDAP only, which keeps parsing reliable.
Why can some domains not be looked up?: RDAP coverage is still growing: some country-code registries do not yet expose an RDAP server, in which case the lookup fails even though the domain exists.
Why do I no longer see the owner's name and address?: GDPR and similar rules made registries redact personal contact data. You still get registrar, dates and status — the operational facts — but not private individuals' details.

Next steps

Open the WHOIS lookup tool

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