How to use WHOIS Lookup
The WHOIS tool queries domain registration databases and returns the public record for a domain: its registrar, creation and expiry dates, name servers, status codes and, where not redacted by privacy protection, the registrant contacts. WHOIS is the authoritative way to find out who manages a domain, when it was registered, when it will expire, and whether it is locked against transfer. Use it to research a domain before buying or partnering, to check your own renewal dates, or to find the abuse contact for a domain sending you spam.
- Enter the domain name you want to research.
- Click Lookup to query the registrar and registry WHOIS servers.
- Review the registrar, important dates and name servers.
- Check the status codes to see if the domain is locked or pending deletion.
- Note the expiry date or abuse contact as needed.
What the dates and status codes tell you
A WHOIS record’s creation date shows a domain’s age, which can hint at its legitimacy, while the expiry date tells you when it must be renewed or risks being lost. Status codes, drawn from the EPP standard, reveal the domain’s state: clientTransferProhibited means it is locked against moving to another registrar, pendingDelete means it is on its way to being released, and redemptionPeriod means it has expired but can still be recovered. Reading these together gives a quick health check of any domain.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| clientTransferProhibited | Locked against transfer (normal, protective) |
| pendingDelete | Scheduled for deletion |
| redemptionPeriod | Expired but still recoverable |
| ok / active | No restrictions; normal state |
Privacy protection and redaction
Since privacy regulations such as GDPR took effect, most registrars redact personal registrant details from public WHOIS, replacing names and emails with privacy-service placeholders or generic forwarding addresses. This protects individuals but means you often cannot see the real owner directly. You can still find the registrar, dates, name servers and an abuse contact, and you can submit a formal request through the registrar if you have a legitimate legal reason to reach the registrant. The technical details remain fully visible.
Glossary
- WHOIS
- A protocol and database for looking up domain registration information.
- Registrar
- The accredited company through which a domain is registered and managed.
- Registry
- The organisation that operates a top-level domain such as .com.
- EPP status code
- A standard code describing a domain’s registration state, e.g. clientTransferProhibited.
- Redaction
- The hiding of personal registrant data in public WHOIS for privacy.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use WHOIS Lookup?
- Read a domain's registrar, creation date, expiry and name servers in one lookup
- Find an abuse contact for a domain sending spam or hosting harmful content
- Check EPP status codes to understand if a domain is locked or pending deletion
- Research a domain before purchase to understand its registration history
Common use cases
- Check when a domain expires to evaluate whether it will soon become available
- Verify a vendor's domain registration details before signing a contract with them
- Find the abuse contact for a domain sending unsolicited email to your users
- Confirm a domain is transfer-locked before a renewal window closes
- Research the age and registrar of a domain you are considering acquiring
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