About .org domains

About .org domains

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

The domain name org is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) of the Domain Name System (DNS) used for Internet services. The name is truncated from organization. It was one of the original domains established in 1985, and has been operated by the Public Interest Registry since 2003. The domain was originally "intended as the miscellaneous TLD for organizations that didn't fit anywhere else". It is commonly used by non-profit organizations, open-source projects, and communities, but is an open domain that can be used by anyone. The number of registered domains in .org increased from fewer than one million in the 1990s to ten million in 2012, and has held steady between ten and eleven million since then.

Who can register .org 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 .org)

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

Public Interest Registry (PIR)

Registration services

http://publicinterestregistry.org

WHOIS server

whois.publicinterestregistry.org

RDAP server

https://rdap.publicinterestregistry.org/rdap/