The .net extension comes from the idea of a network. It is often used for technology, network services and digital infrastructure, and is also open to general use.
Verisign operates the .net registry. Registration is handled through registrars. Our official RDAP lookup shows published registration details, dates, nameservers and status codes. Private owner information is often redacted.
Expiration is not a guaranteed release date. The domain may be renewed or enter a redemption or deletion process. Future availability cannot be guaranteed.
When no registration record is found, a registrar link may help you check registration options. Verify pricing and availability there. Reserved and premium names can have different rules.
Watch a .net domain to receive emails before expiration or when its registration changes. Choose your notification threshold in your account.
.NET Domain Summary
- Registry operator
- VeriSign Global Registry Services
- Root zone registration
- 1985
- First registration
- nordu.net — 1 January 1985
- Restrictions
- None; open worldwide
- Total registrations
- 12.5 million (30 June 2026)
- Documentation
- No documents required for .net registration
- Character count
- 2 – 63 characters
- Registration period
- 1 – 10 years
- Name server count
- 2 – 13 servers
- WHOIS server
- whois.verisign-grs.com