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What Is WHOIS?

WHOIS is a protocol and lookup service used to retrieve domain registration information. With WHOIS, you can check basic domain data such as domain status, registration and expiration dates, nameservers (DNS servers), and sometimes parts of the registration contact details (if they are not hidden).

In simple terms, WHOIS is a way to check who registered a domain, when it was registered, which registrar manages it, and what its current status is. Today, some data may be hidden in certain zones due to privacy policies, and a newer alternative — RDAP — is increasingly used.

Popular Questions About WHOIS

  • What is WHOIS in simple words?

    WHOIS is a domain lookup service that shows registration information such as domain status, dates, nameservers, and sometimes contact details (if publicly available).

  • What information can I get from WHOIS?

    WHOIS commonly shows the domain registrar, domain status, registration and renewal/expiration dates, nameservers (DNS servers), and some contact information or a notice that the data is hidden. The exact fields depend on the domain zone and registry rules.

  • How is WHOIS different from RDAP?

    WHOIS is an older format, often returning unstructured text responses. RDAP is a newer standard that uses structured responses (usually JSON), works better for automation, and often provides a more consistent data format. However, WHOIS is still widely used.