Domain and IP WHOIS lookup

Enter a domain to see its registrar, dates and nameservers, or an IP to find out which organization runs it.

How to look up WHOIS

Enter the domain (or paste a URL) or a public IP address.
Click “Look up”: the official registry for that domain or IP is queried directly.
Check the registrar, dates and nameservers. For an IP you will see the organization and the abuse contact.

What is WHOIS?

WHOIS is the public service that tells you who manages a domain or a block of IP addresses. For a domain it shows the registrar it was bought from, the registration, renewal and expiry dates, its nameservers and its status. For an IP it shows the organization the range was allocated to, its country and the technical and abuse contacts.

Since 2025 classic WHOIS is being replaced by RDAP, which returns the same data in a structured format. This tool uses RDAP whenever the registry offers it and classic WHOIS otherwise.

Why isn't the domain owner shown?

Since the GDPR came into force, registries hide registrants' personal data: name, address, phone number and email. Instead you will see “REDACTED FOR PRIVACY”, or the fields will simply be missing. Companies sometimes still show the organization name.

If you need to contact the owner, most registrars offer an anonymous contact form or a relay email address.

What domain statuses mean

client transfer prohibited: the domain is locked against unauthorized transfers. This is normal; it is unlocked at the registrar before moving to another provider.
client delete / update prohibited: protection against accidental deletion or changes.
redemption period: the domain has expired and is in a recovery period, with a fee.
pending delete: it will be released in a few days and anyone will be able to register it.

Checking a domain before buying it or trusting it

WHOIS is the first stop to find out whether a domain can be trusted or whether you can get it:

Age: a domain registered a few days ago that impersonates a bank or a well-known store is a classic sign of phishing.
Upcoming expiry: if a domain you want is about to expire and its owner does not renew it, you will be able to register it once it is released.
Registrar and nameservers: they show where it is registered and who runs its DNS, useful for migrations or for reporting abuse to the right provider.
Status: transfer locks (“transfer prohibited”) protect the domain; if you are buying it, the seller will have to remove them.

For IPs, WHOIS tells you which company to report an attack or spam to: use the abuse email shown in the result.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out when a domain expires?

Look up its WHOIS: the “Expires on” date shows how long it is paid for. After it expires there is usually a grace period in which only the owner can renew it.

Why doesn't WHOIS work for some country-code domains?

Some registries, such as Red.es for .es domains, only allow automated access to their WHOIS from authorized addresses. You can look those domains up on the registry's own website.

What is an IP's WHOIS used for?

To find out which company or organization runs that IP and how to report abuse (spam, attacks, fraud): the abuse email is the official channel for it.

Is WHOIS the same as RDAP?

They provide the same information, but RDAP is the modern replacement: it answers in a structured format, supports languages and is better designed to protect personal data.