WHOIS is a query and response protocol used to look up registration information for domain names and IP addresses. The data is maintained by domain registrars and regional internet registries (RIRs) and is publicly accessible.

What information does a WHOIS record contain?

A WHOIS record typically includes the registrar name, registration and expiry dates, last updated date, nameservers, and contact details for the registrant, administrative, and technical contacts. Many registrars now use WHOIS privacy protection which redacts contact information.

Why are contact details sometimes hidden?

WHOIS privacy protection (also called domain privacy or proxy registration) replaces the registrant's personal contact details with the registrar's or a proxy service's details. This is offered by most registrars to comply with GDPR and to prevent spam.

Can I look up IP address ownership with WHOIS?

Yes. IP WHOIS queries return information about the organisation that has been allocated the IP block, including the regional internet registry (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, etc.), the organisation name, and an abuse contact.

What is RDAP and how is it different from WHOIS?

RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) is the modern replacement for WHOIS, returning structured JSON data instead of plain text and supporting authentication for access to non-redacted records. Many registries now support both.

How current is WHOIS data?

WHOIS data is updated by registrars in near-real time when changes are made. However, changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate across all WHOIS servers.

Can I check when a domain expires?

Yes. The expiry date field in the WHOIS record shows when the domain registration expires. A domain that is not renewed before this date will become available for registration by others.

Yes, completely free with no account, no sign-up, and no usage limits.

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WHOIS Lookup

Query WHOIS data for any domain: registrar, creation/expiry dates, name servers, and status.

WHOIS lookup online: find domain registration, expiry, and nameserver details

WHOIS is the public registry lookup system for internet resources. Whether you need to check who registered a domain, when it expires, which registrar manages it, or what nameservers it points to, a WHOIS query is the starting point. This tool makes WHOIS lookups as simple as typing a domain name.

IP WHOIS lookups are also supported, returning the organisation that holds the IP block, the regional internet registry, and contact information for network and abuse enquiries. All results are displayed in a clean, readable format alongside the raw WHOIS output.

Step-by-step guide

1
Enter a domain or IP address
Type a domain name (e.g. example.com) or an IP address into the input field and press Enter or click Lookup.
2
View registration details
The tool returns the WHOIS record including the registrar name, registration date, expiry date, and last updated date.
3
Check nameservers
See the nameservers currently delegated for the domain: useful for diagnosing DNS propagation issues.
4
Inspect contact information
View registrant, admin, and technical contact details where they have not been redacted by privacy protection services.
5
Copy or share the result
Copy the raw WHOIS output for use in a support ticket, investigation report, or network documentation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is WHOIS?: WHOIS is a query and response protocol used to look up registration information for domain names and IP addresses. The data is maintained by domain registrars and regional internet registries (RIRs) and is publicly accessible.
What information does a WHOIS record contain?: A WHOIS record typically includes the registrar name, registration and expiry dates, last updated date, nameservers, and contact details for the registrant, administrative, and technical contacts. Many registrars now use WHOIS privacy protection which redacts contact information.
Why are contact details sometimes hidden?: WHOIS privacy protection (also called domain privacy or proxy registration) replaces the registrant's personal contact details with the registrar's or a proxy service's details. This is offered by most registrars to comply with GDPR and to prevent spam.
Can I look up IP address ownership with WHOIS?: Yes. IP WHOIS queries return information about the organisation that has been allocated the IP block, including the regional internet registry (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, etc.), the organisation name, and an abuse contact.
What is RDAP and how is it different from WHOIS?: RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) is the modern replacement for WHOIS, returning structured JSON data instead of plain text and supporting authentication for access to non-redacted records. Many registries now support both.
How current is WHOIS data?: WHOIS data is updated by registrars in near-real time when changes are made. However, changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate across all WHOIS servers.
Can I check when a domain expires?: Yes. The expiry date field in the WHOIS record shows when the domain registration expires. A domain that is not renewed before this date will become available for registration by others.
Is this tool free?: Yes, completely free with no account, no sign-up, and no usage limits.

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