Practical guide
How to use the Domain Whois / RDAP tool
RDAP is the modern, JSON-based replacement for legacy WHOIS. This page resolves the correct RDAP server for the TLD via the IANA bootstrap registry, queries it over HTTPS, and shows you structured registration data.
What this tool checks
Given a domain, the tool looks up the authoritative RDAP server from the IANA bootstrap registry, queries it, and parses the JSON response. You get the registrar, creation / updated / expiration dates, the current domain status codes, the nameservers on file, and any unredacted contact entities.
When to use it
Use this when you need to know who a domain is registered through, when it expires, what nameservers it points to from the registry's point of view (not just DNS), or what the current registration status is. It is the right tool for transfer questions, expiration audits, abuse reporting, and confirming that a domain you bought is actually under your registrar.
How to read the result
The events array gives you registration, last-changed, and expiration timestamps. The status array contains EPP status codes such as clientTransferProhibited or serverHold. nameservers lists the delegated nameservers. entities contains the registrar plus any unredacted contact roles (registrant, admin, technical, abuse). Personal contact data is usually redacted for privacy reasons.
Common errors and what they mean
A 404 from the RDAP server means the domain is not registered or has already been deleted. A response with status pendingDelete or redemptionPeriod means the domain expired and is on its way out — you can sometimes still recover it via the registrar's redemption process. A response with serverHold means the registry has suspended resolution, usually for an abuse or compliance reason. If the bootstrap registry has no entry for the TLD, the lookup returns no data — see the FAQ.
Common domain status codes
The EPP status codes in the status array describe what the registry allows on the domain. These are the ones you will see most.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ok / active | No restrictions; the domain is in a normal state |
| clientTransferProhibited | Registrar is blocking transfers (a common, healthy default) |
| clientHold | Registrar asked the registry to stop the domain resolving |
| serverHold | Registry suspended resolution (abuse or compliance) |
| autoRenewPeriod | Recently auto-renewed; grace window before billing settles |
| redemptionPeriod | Expired; recoverable for a fee for a limited time |
| pendingDelete | About to be released back to the available pool |
Field notes
The fastest expiry audit is to read the events array and ignore the contacts entirely — for most gTLDs the registrant is redacted anyway. When a domain "stopped working," check the status array before DNS: a serverHold or clientHold means the registry pulled the domain from the zone, so no amount of DNS fixing will bring it back until the hold is lifted.
Example RDAP query for a gTLD
- Example input
example.com- Example result
{ "ldhName": "EXAMPLE.COM", "status": ["client delete prohibited", "client transfer prohibited"], "events": [ { "eventAction": "registration", "eventDate": "1995-08-14T04:00:00Z" }, { "eventAction": "expiration", "eventDate": "2026-08-13T04:00:00Z" } ], "nameservers": [ { "ldhName": "A.IANA-SERVERS.NET" }, { "ldhName": "B.IANA-SERVERS.NET" } ] }
The events array gives you the dates that matter. The nameservers array is what the registry has on file — compare against an NS lookup to confirm they match.
Related tools
Related guides
FAQ
What is the difference between RDAP and WHOIS?
Why are some fields like the registrant name redacted?
How do I read the domain status codes?
Why does this tool fail for some TLDs?
Does this tool show the registrant's actual email address?
How do I find a domain's expiration date with RDAP?
Can RDAP tell me who hosts a domain's DNS?
Last reviewed: 2026-06-25.