This WHOIS lookup shows the public registration record for a domain name: which registrar it's registered with, when it was created, when it expires, its name servers, its lock status and whether it uses DNSSEC. The data comes live from the registry responsible for the domain, not from a cached copy.
How to use the WHOIS lookup
- Type a domain name, such as
example.com. You can also paste a full web address; the tool keeps just the domain. - Click Lookup or press Enter.
- Read the registrar, the key dates, the name servers and the status flags.
- Click the source link under the results to see the registry's full record.
Where the data comes from
The traditional WHOIS system is being replaced by RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol), a newer standard that domain registries now run. RDAP returns structured data in a consistent format, works over normal HTTPS, and is the system ICANN requires for generic domains such as .com, .net and .org.
When you look up a domain, the tool asks the public RDAP directory at rdap.org, which forwards the request to the registry for that domain ending. Queries for .com go to Verisign, .org to Public Interest Registry, and .uk to Nominet. The results you see are what that registry holds right now, and the link under the results goes straight to the registry's record.
Some country-code domains, such as .de, don't offer RDAP. For those, the tool tells you so, and you'll need to use the registry's own website.
What each field means
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Registrar | The company the domain was bought through, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap or MarkMonitor |
| Created | The date the domain was first registered |
| Expires | The date the current registration ends unless it is renewed |
| Last updated | The last time the registry record changed, for example after a renewal or a name server change |
| Name servers | The DNS servers that answer for the domain, which usually reveal the DNS or hosting provider |
| Status | Locks and states set by the registrar or registry (see below) |
| DNSSEC | Whether the domain's DNS records are cryptographically signed |
Understanding domain status codes
Registries report status codes in plain words, such as "client transfer prohibited". The most common ones are:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| client transfer prohibited | The registrar has locked the domain against transfers to another registrar. This is a normal safety setting. |
| client update prohibited | Changes to the record are blocked until the owner unlocks them. |
| client delete prohibited | The domain can't be deleted by mistake. |
| server … prohibited | The same kinds of lock, set by the registry itself. They're common on high-value domains. |
| active | The domain is registered and has no restrictions. |
| redemption period | The registration has expired and the domain is about to be released. The previous owner can usually still restore it, for a fee. |
| pending delete | The domain will be released for anyone to register within a few days. |
Why owner details are usually missing
Since the EU's GDPR took effect in 2018, registries and registrars withhold personal contact details from public records by default. For most domains you'll see the registrar and dates but not the owner's name, email or address. Many owners also use a privacy service that replaces their details entirely.
If you need to reach a domain's owner, the registrar usually offers a contact form or an anonymised email address. For legal matters, registrars have processes for disclosing data to people with a legitimate reason.
Common uses
- Checking whether a domain is taken. If the registry has no record, the domain is probably available. Confirm with a registrar before you count on it.
- Tracking your own renewals. The expiry date shows when your registration runs out. An expired domain can be lost, so check that auto-renew is on well before that date.
- Checking a suspicious website. A domain registered only a few days ago, hiding behind a bank's or shop's name, is a common warning sign of phishing.
- Finding a site's DNS provider. Name servers such as
ns.cloudflare.comorawsdnsshow who runs the domain's DNS. - Checking a transfer. Before moving a domain to another registrar, "client transfer prohibited" must be removed.
WHOIS lookup FAQ
Is a WHOIS lookup free and legal?
Yes. Domain registration records are published so the public can query them. This tool is free and needs no signup.
Is the data up to date?
Yes. Each lookup queries the registry live. If a domain was renewed or transferred minutes ago, the new record may take a little time to appear, depending on the registry.
Why does the tool say a domain isn't registered?
The registry has no record of that exact name. If you entered a subdomain such as blog.example.com, look up the main domain, example.com, instead. Only whole registered domains have records.
Why can't I look up a .de domain?
Some country-code registries don't run an RDAP service yet. Use the registry's own website for those domains, for example DENIC for .de.
Can I find out who owns a domain?
Usually not from public records, because personal details are withheld for privacy. The registrar and creation date are always shown when the registry publishes them.
Does my lookup get stored?
Lembog doesn't store your lookups. The domain name you enter is sent to rdap.org and the domain's registry to fetch the record.