Domain Age Checker
Check when a domain was created and calculate its registration age.
What this tool does
This tool retrieves registration data for a domain and calculates its age from the creation date. It also shows update and expiration dates when available. Use it for due diligence, historical research, and SEO context before buying, auditing, or reviewing a domain.
Inputs explained
- Domain name: The domain you want to analyze, such as example.com.
How it works / Method
The tool queries RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) for the domain's registry and extracts event dates such as registration, last update, and expiration. Age is calculated from the registration event. Results are read-only and reflect public registry data.
| Registered On | |
|---|---|
| Updated On | |
| Expires On | |
| Registrar |
Example
Input: Domain: example.com. Expected output: A registration date, an updated date, an expiration date if available, and a calculated age such as "23 years" or similar. The registrar name is also shown when published by the registry.
Use cases
- Perform due diligence before buying or partnering with a domain.
- Evaluate historical trust signals during SEO audits.
- Check portfolio ages for brand protection or compliance.
- Investigate suspicious domains in security reviews.
- Verify registrar and lifecycle details for renewals.
Limitations & notes
- Some registries redact or omit creation dates, especially for certain ccTLDs.
- Privacy policies may limit access to registrar or contact details.
- Date formatting is derived from RDAP timestamps and may show in your local time zone.
- Transfers do not reset creation dates, but update dates can change.
Accuracy & Disclaimer
Age results are based on public RDAP registry data at query time. For legal or billing decisions, confirm dates with the registry or registrar of record.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is domain age calculated?
Domain age is calculated from the registration event date provided by the registry via RDAP. The tool subtracts the creation date from the current date to produce a human-friendly age. Updated and expiration dates are shown separately and do not change the age itself. This calculation reflects registration history, not how long a website has been active or how often it has been updated.
Why might the creation date be missing?
Some registries or ccTLD operators do not publish all registration events, and privacy or policy rules can redact details. In those cases, RDAP may return incomplete data or omit the creation event. Temporary outages or rate limits can also lead to missing fields. If the creation date is not shown, try again later or consult the registry or registrar for authoritative records.
Does transferring a domain reset its age?
No. Transfers between registrars do not reset the original creation date. You may see the updated date change because the registration record was modified, but the creation event stays the same. The only time age resets is if the domain fully expires, is deleted from the registry, and is later re-registered as a new domain. For comparisons, rely on the creation event rather than the last update.
Is domain age a ranking factor?
Domain age can provide context, but it is not a guarantee of quality or ranking. Search engines evaluate many signals beyond age, such as content relevance, links, and user experience. An older domain can still perform poorly if it lacks quality signals, while newer domains can rank well with strong content and authority. Use age as one data point, not a standalone decision factor.
What time zone are the dates shown in?
RDAP data is typically provided in UTC timestamps. This tool converts those timestamps to a readable date using your browser settings, which may display in your local time zone. This can shift the displayed date by a day around time zone boundaries. If you need exact times, use the raw RDAP output in the RDAP Lookup tool or compare against UTC values from the registry.
Can I check ccTLDs with this tool?
Many ccTLDs support RDAP, but coverage varies by registry. Some provide full event data, while others return limited fields or require additional authentication. If a ccTLD does not support RDAP, this tool may return incomplete results. In those cases, consult the ccTLD registry or registrar for the most authoritative information. You can also compare with a registry WHOIS lookup when available.
Sources & references
- RFC 9082: RDAP query format - Defines how RDAP queries are constructed.
- RFC 9083: RDAP response format - Defines registration event fields used for age.
- ICANN RDDS - Registration data directory services overview.
- IANA RDAP bootstrap registry - Maps TLDs to RDAP servers.