WHOIS / RDAP Lookup
Look up domain registration data via RDAP: registrar, creation and expiry dates, status codes, name servers and DNSSEC. Also works for IP networks and ASNs.
Uses RDAP, the modern JSON replacement for WHOIS, operated by the registries.
What is WHOIS Lookup?
This WHOIS lookup queries RDAP, the structured JSON successor of WHOIS run by registries and regional internet registries. For a domain it shows the registrar, registration, expiry and last-update dates, EPP status codes, name servers, DNSSEC and the abuse contact; for an IP address or AS number it shows the network range, holder and country.
How to use WHOIS Lookup
- Enter a domain (
example.com), an IP address (8.8.8.8) or an AS number (AS13335). - Press Look up.
- Read the registrar, important dates (in UTC), status codes and name servers.
- Tick "Show raw RDAP response" to see and copy the full JSON returned by the registry.
Example
example.com
Name EXAMPLE.COM · registrar RESERVED-Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA 376) · registered 14 Aug 1995 · name servers a.iana-servers.net, b.iana-servers.net · DNSSEC signed
When to use WHOIS Lookup
Use it to check when a domain expires, which registrar manages it, whether it has a transfer lock, or who is responsible for an IP block. Personal registrant data is usually redacted for privacy (GDPR), and some country-code TLDs only run legacy WHOIS without RDAP, in which case the tool reports that no RDAP data is available.
How WHOIS Lookup works
The browser sends the query to rdap.org, which redirects it to the authoritative RDAP server listed in the IANA bootstrap registry (for example Verisign for .com, ARIN or RIPE for IP space). The returned JSON is summarized locally: entities are searched for the registrar, registrant and abuse roles, vCard fields provide names and emails, and events provide registration, expiration and last-changed dates.
Common Use Cases
- Check a domain's expiry date before it lapses.
- See the registrar and status codes (e.g. clientTransferProhibited) before transferring a domain.
- Find the abuse contact of the network that owns an attacking IP.
- Look up which organization holds an autonomous system number.
Security Note
Queries are sent from your browser to rdap.org and the registry it redirects to.
FAQs
What is the difference between WHOIS and RDAP?
RDAP (RFC 9082/9083) replaces the old free-text WHOIS protocol with JSON over HTTPS, standardized fields, internationalization and access control. ICANN requires RDAP for gTLD registries and registrars.
Why is the owner's name hidden?
Since GDPR, registrars redact personal data of individual registrants. You can usually reach the owner through the registrar's contact form or abuse address.
Why does a ccTLD return "not found"?
Some country-code registries do not operate an RDAP service yet. The domain may still exist; check the registry's own WHOIS site.