WHOIS lookup
A WHOIS lookup (today often served via RDAP) returns public registration data for a domain: registrar, creation/expiry dates, status codes, and nameservers. Personal contact details are frequently redacted by privacy services or GDPR rules.
Quick answer
Use a lookup tool when you need to know who runs a domain, when it expires, or whether it is locked. Options:
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| StableDomains↗ WHOIS/RDAP | Free JSON WHOIS/RDAP tool documented at stabledomains.net/tools/whois. |
| ICANN Lookup | Official public lookup portal for gTLD registration data. |
| whois.domaintools.com / whois.com | Popular commercial WHOIS front-ends (whois.com is a high-traffic lookup property per Semrush site reports). |
| Namecheap WHOIS | Registrar-hosted lookup tied to their domain search flow. |
| Command line whois / RDAP clients | Direct queries for power users and scripts. |
What you will see
- Registrar name and IANA ID.
- Created, updated, and expiry dates when published.
- Status codes such as clientTransferProhibited.
- Nameservers; registrant email often hidden.