About .com domains

About .com domains

.COM is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated in the DNS root zone. The registry operator responsible for .COM is listed by IANA as VeriSign Global Registry Services. Anyone can typically register a .COM name through an accredited registrar, subject to the registry’s registration policy and ICANN consensus policies.

The domain com is a top-level domain (TLD) in the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet. Created in the first group of Internet domains in March of 1985, it is short for commercial, as it was originally intended for subdomains for commercial organizations. Later, the domain opened for general purposes.

Who can register .com domains?

Eligibility is defined by the registry operator and its registrars. Most gTLDs are open to anyone worldwide. Many ccTLDs are also open globally; some require local presence, citizenship, or trademark rights. Always confirm current policy with the registry or your registrar.

Registration restrictions

Character rules below follow common ICANN LDH conventions. Individual registries and registrars may impose extra eligibility, length, or residency rules.

Length

1 – 63 characters (label before .com)

Can use

Letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens (not first/last or consecutive in restricted cases)

Cannot use

Special characters (e.g. & # @) in standard LDH labels

IDNs

Varies by registry — check IDN support with the registry or your registrar

Features

Operational features (privacy, parking, protection) are registrar-level, not defined by the IANA root zone record.

Registry information

Sponsor / manager

VeriSign Global Registry Services

Registration services

http://www.verisigninc.com

WHOIS server

whois.verisign-grs.com

RDAP server

https://rdap.verisign.com/com/v1/

Root zone registration

1985-01-01

Record last updated

2026-03-10