WHOIS Lookup
WHOIS (pronounced "who is") is a query and response protocol used for querying databases that store information about registered domain names. This page explains what WHOIS is, how it works, and how to use our WHOIS lookup tool.
What is WHOIS?
WHOIS is a protocol that provides information about registered domain names, including:
- Domain registrar (the company through which the domain was registered)
- Registration date and expiration date
- Domain owner contact information (though this may be private)
- Administrative and technical contacts
- Nameservers (the DNS servers that handle the domain)
- Domain status codes (e.g., clientTransferProhibited, clientUpdateProhibited)
WHOIS databases are maintained by regional Internet registries and domain registrars. The information in these databases helps identify who is responsible for a domain and provides contact information for addressing technical or legal issues related to the domain.
History and Evolution of WHOIS
The WHOIS protocol was created in the early 1980s, when the internet was much smaller and primarily used by academic and research institutions. Originally, it was designed to identify entities responsible for network resources in case of technical problems.
As the internet grew and became more commercial, WHOIS evolved but retained its basic functionality. However, with the introduction of privacy concerns and regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), many registrars now offer privacy protection services that mask personal information in WHOIS records.
RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) is a newer protocol designed to eventually replace WHOIS, offering more structured data and better support for internationalization.
WHOIS Data Structure
A typical WHOIS record contains several sections of information:
Domain Information
- Domain Name
- Registry Domain ID
- Registrar WHOIS Server
- Registrar URL
- Updated Date
- Creation Date
- Expiration Date
- Domain Status
Registrant Information
- Registrant Name
- Registrant Organization
- Registrant Street
- Registrant City
- Registrant State/Province
- Registrant Postal Code
- Registrant Country
- Registrant Phone
- Registrant Email
Note: This information may be redacted or replaced with privacy service details.
Administrative, Technical, and Billing Contacts
Similar contact information for administrative, technical, and billing contacts.
Name Servers
- Name Server 1 (e.g., ns1.example.com)
- Name Server 2 (e.g., ns2.example.com)
- Additional name servers if applicable
WHOIS Privacy and Protection
Due to privacy concerns and to prevent spam, many domain registrars offer WHOIS privacy protection services:
- WHOIS Privacy/Proxy Services: Replace your personal information with the information of a privacy service.
- GDPR Compliance: Since the implementation of GDPR in 2018, many registrars automatically redact personal information for domains registered by individuals in the EU.
- Redacted Information: Personal details are often replaced with phrases like "REDACTED FOR PRIVACY" or generic contact information for the registrar.
Note: While WHOIS privacy protects your personal information from public view, law enforcement agencies and legal entities can still obtain your information through proper legal channels.
Using Our WHOIS Lookup Tool
Our WHOIS Lookup tool allows you to easily query WHOIS information for any domain name:
- Enter the domain name you want to look up (e.g., example.com)
- Click the "Lookup" button
- View the comprehensive WHOIS information for the domain
Our tool provides several advantages:
- Multiple Registries: We query multiple WHOIS servers to ensure comprehensive results.
- Formatted Results: We parse and format the results for easy reading.
- Historical Data: For some domains, we can show historical WHOIS records.
- No Rate Limiting: Unlike direct WHOIS queries, our tool isn't subject to the same rate limiting.
Common Uses for WHOIS Lookup
Domain Availability
Check if a domain name is available for registration. If a WHOIS query returns "No match for domain," it may be available.
Domain Ownership Verification
Verify who owns a domain, which can be useful for business transactions or legal matters.
Expiration Monitoring
Check when a domain is set to expire, which can be useful for domain acquisition or ensuring your own domains don't expire.
Technical Contact Information
Find technical contacts for reporting abuse, security vulnerabilities, or other technical issues.
Domain History Research
Research the history of a domain, including when it was registered and if ownership has changed.
Cybersecurity Investigations
Security professionals use WHOIS data to investigate suspicious domains and potential phishing sites.
Limitations of WHOIS Lookup
- Privacy Protection: Many domains use privacy services, limiting the useful information available.
- Data Accuracy: WHOIS data is only as accurate as what was provided during registration.
- Rate Limiting: Direct WHOIS queries are often rate-limited to prevent scraping.
- Inconsistent Formats: Different registrars and TLDs may present WHOIS data in different formats.
- GDPR and Other Regulations: Legal requirements have reduced the amount of public WHOIS information available.
Next Steps
Now that you understand WHOIS lookup, you might want to explore:
- DNS Lookup Tool - Query DNS records for any domain
- DNS Propagation - Check DNS propagation status
- DNS Health Check - Check the overall health of your domain's DNS configuration
- DNS Record Types - Learn about the different types of DNS records