Glossary · ENCheck a domain

Domain extension / TLD

A top-level domain (TLD) is the last named part of a domain name, such as .com in example.com. People often call this part the domain extension; TLD is the technical term used for names at the top level of the public DNS.

How do you find the TLD in a domain name?

Read the name from right to left. In shop.example.com, .com is the TLD, example is the label directly below it, and shop is below example. The final dot that represents the DNS root is normally left off when people write a domain name.

The same rule helps with country-code names. In store.example.co.uk, .uk is the TLD. .co is a label below .uk, and example is below .co. Some registries allow people to register names at levels such as example.co.uk, so the part someone registers is not always just the label immediately before the TLD.

What kinds of TLDs are there?

Two familiar categories are generic TLDs and country-code TLDs. Generic TLDs include .com, .org, and .info. Country-code TLDs are associated with countries, territories, or geographical areas; examples include .pl and .uk. Some TLDs use characters from writing systems other than the Latin alphabet. The current IANA Root Zone Database lists TLDs assigned to managers, along with each TLD's category, manager, and status.

The category tells you about the TLD’s place in the DNS and who manages its registry; it does not by itself tell you what a particular website does, who owns a second-level name, or whether a site is trustworthy. Registration rules also vary. For example, the manager of a country-code TLD may set local requirements for names registered under it.

Does a TLD decide who can register a name?

Not on its own. The organization that manages a TLD’s registry sets or applies the rules for names registered directly below that TLD, under the policies that apply to that TLD. The rules can differ between TLDs. A name that is available under one ending may be unavailable, restricted, or priced differently under another. Check the rules and current availability for the specific name and TLD before relying on them.

For example, Alex may find alex.example available but alex.pl already registered. The endings are different TLDs, each with its own registry and registrations. Registering one does not reserve the same name under another ending, and neither ending automatically creates a website or email service.

Is a TLD the same as a domain name?

No. In example.com, .com is the TLD and example.com is the full domain name. A subdomain, such as shop.example.com, adds a name below that domain. A complete URL, such as https://shop.example.com/products, also includes a prefix specifying the connection type and a path identifying a page or other resource.

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