WHOIS / RDAP Lookup

RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) is the modern, structured replacement for WHOIS. We ask the official registry for the domain's extension, or the regional internet registry for an IP address or AS number, and show the key facts in plain English.

Tool status: Uses an external service Relies on a third-party API that may be rate-limited or temporarily unavailable.

What this tool can and cannot do

Data comes directly from public registry RDAP servers found through the official IANA directory. Personal details of domain owners are usually redacted for privacy (GDPR), so the registrant name is often hidden. A few country-code extensions do not publish RDAP yet. Registries may rate-limit busy clients.

Data sources: IANA RDAP bootstrap registry · Public registry RDAP servers

Understanding the results

Registration and expiration dates come from the registry. If a domain is close to expiring, only its owner (through their registrar) can renew it.

Status codes such as clientTransferProhibited are normal security locks set by the registrar; they protect against unauthorised transfers.

For IP addresses and AS numbers, the record shows which organisation the regional registry (ARIN, RIPE NCC, APNIC, LACNIC or AFRINIC) allocated the block to.

Troubleshooting

  • “Not registered” usually means the domain is available – check with a registrar.
  • If a country-code domain is not supported, use that registry's own website.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between WHOIS and RDAP?

Both provide registration data. RDAP is the standardised successor: it returns structured data over HTTPS and supports internationalised names. ICANN has made RDAP the official service for generic domains.

Why is the owner's name hidden?

Privacy laws and registrar policies redact personal data. You can usually contact the owner through the registrar's anonymised contact form or abuse address.