Domain Expiry Checker
See expiration timing, days remaining, and status flags for a domain.
What this tool does
This tool checks the published expiration date for a domain and calculates how many days remain. It also highlights status flags that can indicate locks or lifecycle states. Use it to plan renewals, avoid outages, and verify registry data before making decisions.
Inputs explained
- Domain name: The domain you want to check, such as example.com.
How it works / Method
The tool queries RDAP for the domain's registry and reads the expiration event data. It calculates days remaining based on the returned expiration date and displays any registry status codes. Results are read-only and depend on public registry data.
Example
Input: Domain: example.com. Expected output: A numeric days remaining value and a calendar date for expiration, plus any registry status flags. If the domain is near expiration, the days value will appear lower and may be highlighted.
Use cases
- Track renewal timelines for important domains.
- Reduce outage risk by monitoring days remaining.
- Validate expiration details during acquisitions.
- Audit domain portfolio lifecycle status.
- Investigate suspicious or abandoned domains.
Limitations & notes
- Expiration data is provided by registries and may be redacted or missing for some TLDs.
- Auto-renew can temporarily shift expiration dates before billing completes.
- Grace and redemption periods vary by registry and registrar policies.
- Status flags describe registry-level states and may require registrar clarification.
Accuracy & Disclaimer
Expiration timing is based on public RDAP data at query time. Always confirm critical renewals with your registrar or registry records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the expiration date mean?
The expiration date is the end of the current registration term recorded by the registry. It does not necessarily mean the domain will stop working immediately on that date. Many registries provide grace or redemption periods before a domain is deleted. The exact timeline varies by TLD and registrar policies, so treat the expiration date as the latest safe renewal date rather than a guaranteed cutoff.
What are grace and redemption periods?
After expiration, domains often enter an auto-renew grace period and then a redemption period, during which the current registrant can still renew or restore the name. These phases are defined by registry and registrar policies and can include additional fees. ICANN also sets baseline requirements for registrars. Because timings vary by TLD, consult your registrar or the registry for precise lifecycle rules.
Why is the expiry date missing or unknown?
Some registries do not publish expiration events via RDAP, or they redact fields under privacy or policy rules. Temporary registry or RDAP outages can also result in missing fields. If the date is not available, try again later or confirm with the registrar of record. For certain ccTLDs, the registry may require authenticated access to provide full data. In those cases, registrar dashboards are often the most reliable source.
Does auto-renew change the expiration date?
Yes. Many registrars use auto-renew, which can extend the expiration date before the actual billing event completes. You may see a future date even if the renewal has not fully processed, and that date can change if payment fails. The registry is the source of truth for the term end date, but billing and grace-period behavior are managed by your registrar.
What do the status flags mean?
Status flags like clientTransferProhibited or serverHold describe registry-level controls on the domain, such as transfer locks or suspension states. These are published in RDAP and help explain why a domain cannot be transferred or why it might not resolve. The meaning and impact of each status depends on registry policy and registrar actions. If a status is unexpected, contact the registrar for clarification.
How should I plan renewals using this tool?
Use the days remaining value as an early warning, not a last-minute reminder. Renew well before the expiration date to avoid service disruption, especially for domains tied to email or ecommerce. Keep registrar contact and billing details up to date, and enable auto-renew where appropriate. For portfolios, schedule regular checks and confirm results with registrar dashboards. Internal reminders and ticketing can reduce renewal risk.
Sources & references
- ICANN Expired Registration Recovery Policy (ERRP) - Describes registrar requirements around expiration and recovery.
- RFC 9083: RDAP response format - Defines expiration events and status fields.
- ICANN RDDS - Overview of registration data directory services.
- IANA RDAP bootstrap registry - Maps TLDs to RDAP servers.