What is a WHOIS lookup?

A WHOIS lookup queries a public database that stores registration details for domain names and IP address blocks. For a domain, it returns the registrar, registration and expiry dates, name servers, and (if not privacy-protected) the registrant's name and contact information. For an IP address it returns the network block's owner, organization, and abuse contact.

How do I find out who owns a domain?

Enter the domain name (e.g. example.com) in the search field above and press Enter. The WHOIS record will show the registrant organization or name if privacy protection is not enabled. If the owner has opted for WHOIS privacy, you will see a proxy service's contact instead — contact the registrar to submit abuse reports.

What information does a WHOIS record contain?

A domain WHOIS record typically includes: registrar name and URL, registration date, expiry date, last updated date, name servers, and registrant/admin/tech contact details (name, organization, email, phone, address). Many registrars now redact personal contact details under GDPR and CCPA privacy regulations.

Why is WHOIS information sometimes hidden?

WHOIS privacy (also called domain privacy or Whois guard) replaces the registrant's personal contact details with those of a privacy proxy service. Registrars offer this to protect individual owners from spam and unwanted contact. GDPR regulations in Europe also require that personal data not be publicly displayed without consent, which has made redacted WHOIS records common globally.

How do I check when a domain expires?

Run a WHOIS lookup on the domain and look for the 'Expiry Date' or 'Registry Expiry Date' field in the results. This is the date after which the domain may become available for registration if not renewed. Domains are typically in a grace period for 30 days after expiry before they are released.

Can I look up an IP address with WHOIS?

Yes. Enter an IPv4 or IPv6 address and the tool will query the appropriate Regional Internet Registry (RIR) — ARIN for North America, RIPE NCC for Europe, APNIC for Asia-Pacific, LACNIC for Latin America, or AFRINIC for Africa. The result shows the IP block's owner, organization, and the network's abuse contact.