What is a top-level domain (TLD)?

What is a top-level domain (TLD)?

Tim Leland

A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the last part of a domain name, coming right after the final dot. For example, in example.com, the TLD is .com.
You have most likely typed a TLD into your browser and not even realized it. TLDs play a key role in identifying a domain’s purpose or geographic connection.

Types of TLDs

1. Generic TLDs (gTLDs)
These are the most common and widely used TLDs, such as .com, .org, .net, and .info. They’re versatile and not tied to any
specific region or group. When people think of a website .com is usually their first choice.
2. Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs)
These TLDs represent specific countries or regions, like .us (United States), .uk (United Kingdom), and .au (Australia). They’re great for
emphasizing a local connection.
3. Sponsored TLDs (sTLDs)
Sponsored TLDs are managed by organizations that define their own usage rules. For example:

  • .gov for U.S. government entities.
  • .edu for accredited educational institutions.

4. New gTLDs
In recent years, hundreds of new TLDs have emerged, such as .tech, .blog, .shop, and .xyz. These creative options provide
unique branding opportunities for businesses and individuals.
5. Third-Level Domains
Although not technically TLDs, third-level domains (like uk.com) are subdomains of existing TLDs. They’re often managed by private companies and provide additional
customization options.

Why Are TLDs Important?

TLDs help people quickly understand the purpose or origin of a website. For example:

  • A .edu domain suggests an educational institution.
  • A .ca domain shows a connection to Canada.

TLDs also make websites easier to remember and assist search engines in categorizing content.

Choosing the Right TLD

  • For a business website, I recommend going with .com if you can. It’s the most recognized and trusted TLD worldwide. Sometimes you have to get creative
    on the naming because most likely your business name is already taken. If our business name is already taken, you can add “city”, “app”, “try” “get” etc to the domain.
  • For short and memorable domains, use TLDs like .ly or .io. For example, T.LY makes a great URL Shortener because of the
    length of the TLD.
  • If your site targets a specific country, use a ccTLD like .uk or .fr.
  • Explore new gTLDs if you want a unique, branded look for your domain especially if your business’s .com is taken. I would rather have a short gTLD than a long and
    complicated .com.

How to Register a TLD

  1. Choose a trusted domain registrar, like Cloudflare, Namecheap, or GoDaddy.
  2. Search for an available domain name that fits your needs. If the domain is taken, you can use our WhoIS domain tool to check and see who owns it.
  3. Follow the registrar’s instructions to complete the registration.

If the TLD you want is supported by Cloudflare, they’re a great choice because they don’t
add extra fees to the registry’s price for buying or renewing a domain.

Popular TLDs

Below is a list of popular TLDs and some information about the history and use case for each TLD.

.com

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: January 1, 1985
  • Intended Use: Commercial entities
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; widely adopted globally
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$20 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Available through various registrars; Cloudflare offers registration services at cost

.org

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: January 1, 1985
  • Intended Use: Non-profit organizations
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; commonly used by non-profits, open-source projects, and communities
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$20 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Available through various registrars; Cloudflare offers registration services at cost

.net

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: January 1, 1985
  • Intended Use: Network-related entities
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; often used by internet service providers and network-related businesses
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$20 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Available through various registrars; Cloudflare offers registration services at cost

.info

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2001
  • Intended Use: Informational websites
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; widely used for informational sites
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $2–$15 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Available through various registrars; Cloudflare offers registration services at cost

.biz

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2001
  • Intended Use: Businesses
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; used by businesses
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$20 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Available through various registrars; Cloudflare offers registration services at cost

.edu

  • Type: Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD)
  • Introduced: 1985
  • Intended Use: Educational institutions
  • Actual Use: Restricted to accredited postsecondary institutions
  • Registration Restrictions: Must be an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution
  • Registration Cost: Typically around $40 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by EDUCAUSE; more details at https://net.educause.edu/eligibility

.gov

  • Type: Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD)
  • Introduced: 1985
  • Intended Use: U.S. government entities
  • Actual Use: Restricted to U.S. governmental departments and agencies
  • Registration Restrictions: Must be a U.S. governmental entity
  • Registration Cost: $400 annually
  • Renewal Cost: $400 annually
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by the U.S. General Services Administration; more details at https://home.dotgov.gov/

.mil

  • Type: Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD)
  • Introduced: 1985
  • Intended Use: U.S. military entities
  • Actual Use: Exclusively used by the U.S. Department of Defense and related entities
  • Registration Restrictions: Restricted to U.S. military organizations
  • Registration Cost: Not publicly available; managed internally by the military
  • Renewal Cost: Not publicly available; managed internally by the military
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA); more details at https://www.disa.mil/

.uk

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1985
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with the United Kingdom
  • Actual Use: Popular for businesses, organizations, and individuals in the UK
  • Registration Restrictions: None for most subdomains (e.g., .co.uk, .org.uk); some restrictions for specific subdomains (e.g., .gov.uk)
  • Registration Cost: Typically £5–£15 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Nominet; more details at https://www.nominet.uk/

.de

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1986
  • Country: Germany
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Germany
  • Actual Use: Widely used by German businesses and individuals
  • Registration Restrictions: None; administrative contact must be within Germany
  • Registration Cost: Typically €5–€15 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by DENIC; more details at https://www.denic.de/

.ca

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1987
  • Country: Canada
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Canada
  • Actual Use: Popular for Canadian businesses, organizations, and individuals
  • Registration Restrictions: Restricted to Canadian entities or residents
  • Registration Cost: Typically CAD $10–$20 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by CIRA; more details at https://cira.ca/

.au

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1986
  • Country: Australia
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Australia
  • Actual Use: Widely used for Australian businesses and individuals
  • Registration Restrictions: Restricted to Australian entities or residents; additional restrictions for specific subdomains (e.g., .gov.au, .edu.au)
  • Registration Cost: Typically AUD $10–$30 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by auDA; more details at https://www.auda.org.au/

.in

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1989
  • Country: India
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with India
  • Actual Use: Widely used by Indian businesses, organizations, and individuals
  • Registration Restrictions: None for most subdomains (e.g., .co.in, .org.in)
  • Registration Cost: Typically INR ₹500–₹1,000 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by NIXI; more details at https://registry.in/

.cn

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1990
  • Country: China
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with China
  • Actual Use: Widely used by Chinese businesses, organizations, and individuals
  • Registration Restrictions: Registrants must provide valid identification and comply with Chinese internet regulations
  • Registration Cost: Typically ¥50–¥200 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by CNNIC; more details at https://www.cnnic.net.cn/

.us

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1985
  • Country: United States
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with the United States
  • Actual Use: Popular among U.S. businesses and individuals
  • Registration Restrictions: Registrants must be U.S. citizens, residents, or organizations with a presence in the U.S.
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$20 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Neustar; more details at https://www.about.us/

.co

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1991
  • Country: Colombia
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Colombia
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; widely adopted globally as an alternative to .com for businesses and startups
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$30 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by .CO Internet S.A.S.; more details at https://www.cointernet.com.co/

.io

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1997
  • Country: British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with the British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Actual Use: Popular among technology startups and developers globally
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $30–$60 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by the Internet Computer Bureau; more details at https://www.nic.io/

.xyz

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2014
  • Intended Use: General use
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; popular among creative and tech communities
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Often discounted to as low as $1 for the first year; typically $10–$20 for subsequent years
  • Renewal Cost: Typically $10–$20 per year
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by XYZ.COM LLC; more details at https://gen.xyz/

.online

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2015
  • Intended Use: General use for online presence
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; popular among digital-first businesses and personal brands
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $5–$30 per year, depending on promotions
  • Renewal Cost: Typically $30–$50 per year
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Radix Registry; more details at https://get.online/

.store

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2016
  • Intended Use: Online stores and e-commerce businesses
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; widely adopted by e-commerce platforms
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$50 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Typically $50–$70 per year
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Radix Registry; more details at https://get.store/

.tech

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2015
  • Intended Use: Technology-related businesses and professionals
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; popular among tech startups, developers, and tech communities
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$50 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Typically $50–$70 per year
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Radix Registry; more details at https://get.tech/

.app

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2018
  • Intended Use: Applications, developers, and software businesses
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; widely used by app developers and software companies
  • Registration Restrictions: HTTPS required for all .app domains
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$25 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Google Registry; more details at https://www.registry.google/

.ai

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1995
  • Country: Anguilla
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Anguilla
  • Actual Use: Popular among artificial intelligence companies and startups
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $70–$120 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by the Government of Anguilla; more details at https://whois.ai/

.bank

  • Type: Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD)
  • Introduced: 2014
  • Intended Use: Banks and financial institutions
  • Actual Use: Restricted to verified banks and financial organizations
  • Registration Restrictions: Strict verification process; registrants must be eligible banks or financial institutions
  • Registration Cost: Typically $1,000–$2,000 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by fTLD Registry Services; more details at https://www.ftld.com/

.museum

  • Type: Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD)
  • Introduced: 2001
  • Intended Use: Museums and museum-related organizations
  • Actual Use: Restricted to museums, museum associations, and individuals with a museum-focused purpose
  • Registration Restrictions: Applicants must be verified museum-related entities
  • Registration Cost: Typically $50–$200 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by the Museum Domain Management Association; more details at https://about.museum/

.travel

  • Type: Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD)
  • Introduced: 2005
  • Intended Use: Travel and tourism-related businesses
  • Actual Use: Used by travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and other travel-related entities
  • Registration Restrictions: Registrants must provide proof of engagement in the travel or tourism industry
  • Registration Cost: Typically $50–$200 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by Donuts Inc.; more details at https://www.travel.travel/

.jobs

  • Type: Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD)
  • Introduced: 2005
  • Intended Use: Human resource managers and job listing sites
  • Actual Use: Used by businesses and organizations for recruitment and employment purposes
  • Registration Restrictions: Registrants must provide proof of eligibility related to employment services
  • Registration Cost: Typically $150–$300 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by Employ Media; more details at https://www.goto.jobs/

.tv

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1996
  • Country: Tuvalu
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Tuvalu
  • Actual Use: Popular globally for television, video, and media content platforms
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $30–$50 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Verisign; more details at https://www.verisign.com/

.me

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 2007
  • Country: Montenegro
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Montenegro
  • Actual Use: Popular globally for personal branding and creative projects
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$30 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by doMEn; more details at https://domain.me/

.pro

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2004
  • Intended Use: Professionals and certified individuals
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; often used by consultants, freelancers, and businesses
  • Registration Restrictions: None (originally restricted to credentialed professionals)
  • Registration Cost: Typically $10–$20 per year
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Registry Services LLC; more details at https://www.registrypro.pro/

.link

  • Type: Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
  • Introduced: 2014
  • Intended Use: General use; popular for hyperlink-related websites and services
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; widely used for short links and digital portfolios
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $5–$20 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: Yes
  • Registration Information: Managed by Donuts Inc.; more details at https://donuts.domains/

.to

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1995
  • Country: Tonga
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Tonga
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; widely adopted globally for URL shortening and creative domain names
  • Registration Restrictions: None
  • Registration Cost: Typically $90–$110 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by Tonic; more details at https://www.tonic.to/

.ly

  • Type: Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)
  • Introduced: 1997
  • Country: Libya
  • Intended Use: Entities connected with Libya
  • Actual Use: Open for general use; widely used for URL shortening and creative branding, especially with “ly” suffixes
  • Registration Restrictions: None for most subdomains; certain content restrictions apply due to Libyan laws
  • Registration Cost: Typically $50–$100 per year, depending on the registrar
  • Renewal Cost: Similar to registration cost
  • Cloudflare Support: No
  • Registration Information: Managed by NIC.ly; more details at https://nic.ly/

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Author Tim Leland

Tim Leland

Tim Leland brings over 20 years of software development experience to the table, creating products used by millions around the globe. In 2019, he founded T.LY with a vision to build the world’s shortest URL shortener—and since then, the platform’s popularity has soared. Under Tim’s leadership, T.LY has evolved into a top-tier solution recognized for its reliability and ease of use, now serving millions of satisfied users worldwide.

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