How to Find Out When a Domain Name Expires

The domain name is the part of a website address located after "www." When you purchase a domain name, you are paying for the right to use that name for a specific period of time. Every domain name has an expiration date attached to it; if the registrant does not renew the name by that date, then it becomes available to the public. The organization that oversees the assignment of domain names requires that certain registration information be made publicly available, including information about domain expiration.

Instructions

1. Visit Whois.net. WHOIS is a tool that can be used to retrieve information about registered domain name.

2. Enter the domain name you want to look up in the text box labeled "WHOIS Lookup." Select the suffix from the drop-down menu.

3. Click "Go." Look for the expiration date near the end of the registrant information. It will tell you the month, year and date that the domain is scheduled to expire.

References

• Webopedia.com: Domain Name
• Webopedia.com: Registering a Domain Name
• Webdevelopersnotes.com: What is WHOIS and Why Is It Important?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• CNET.com: 11 Steps to Buying a Domain Name That Doesn't Suck
• Whois.net: Homepage