How to Check Domain Information with WHOIS.com
A Simple Guide to Domain Lookup and Ownership Information
Introduction
If you’re creating a website, buying a domain, or just curious about who owns a web address, WHOIS.com is a powerful and easy tool to use. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about checking domain availability, ownership, registration details, and more—using the WHOIS.com website.
How to Check a Domain on WHOIS.com
To find out if a domain is available or to see who owns a domain, go to www.whois.com. On the homepage, you’ll see a search bar. Just type in the domain name you’re interested in (for example, example.com) and hit enter.
- If the domain is available, you’ll see a message saying it’s not registered, and you may have the option to buy it.
- If the domain is already taken, WHOIS will show details like who registered it, when it was registered, when it expires, and what company manages it.
Domain Information
This section contains the basic facts about the domain name.
- Domain: The exact name of the domain you’re looking up (e.g.,
iawaerie.org). - Registered On: The date the domain was first registered. This shows how long the domain has existed.
- Expires On: The date the domain registration ends unless it’s renewed.
- Updated On: The last time the domain information was changed (for example, if the owner updated their contact info or DNS settings).
- Status: This shows whether the domain is active, expired, on hold, etc. A status of “active” means it’s in use.
- Name Servers: These are the DNS servers (like
ns1.dreamhost.com) that help connect visitors to the website. They’re usually provided by the hosting company.
Registrar Information
This part tells you who manages the domain’s registration.
- Registrar: The company where the domain was purchased or registered (e.g., Squarespace Domains II LLC).
- IANA ID: A unique ID assigned to the registrar by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority.
- Abuse Email & Phone: Contact details you can use to report spam, fraud, or any suspicious activity related to the domain. This is useful if the domain is being used inappropriately.
Registrant Contact
Here you’ll find information about the person or organization that owns the domain.
- Organization: This is the name of the business or group that registered the domain (e.g., Penn State).
- State & Country: This shows the general location of the domain owner. Sometimes this info is hidden for privacy reasons, especially for individual users or small businesses.
Why WHOIS Is Useful
WHOIS lookups help you:
- Find out if a domain name is available for registration.
- See who owns a domain and how long they’ve had it.
- Know when a domain expires, in case you want to buy it later.
- Report domain abuse or suspicious activity.
Conclusion
WHOIS.com makes it easy for anyone to search domain details quickly. Whether you’re buying a new domain, checking ownership, or reporting abuse, this tool is essential for managing your online presence. Just visit www.whois.com, enter the domain, and get the information you need in seconds.