A TLD (top-level domain) is the last part of a domain name, the extension after the final dot, such as .com.
A TLD, or top-level domain, is the part of a domain name after the last dot. In example.com, the TLD is .com. In example.co.uk, the TLD is .uk, and .co.uk is a second-level space under it. TLDs sit at the top of the DNS hierarchy, just below the root, which is why they're called top-level.
Every TLD is run by a registry, an organisation that keeps the master list of names registered under it. You don't usually buy from the registry directly. You register through a registrar, which passes your registration on to the registry.
Types of TLD
- gTLDs (generic): .com, .net, .org and newer ones like .site, .shop and .wiki. Most are open to anyone.
- ccTLDs (country code): two-letter extensions for countries and territories, like .uk, .de and .ca. Some have residency rules; others, like .co and .io, are marketed worldwide.
- Restricted TLDs: limited to certain groups, like .gov for US government bodies or .edu for accredited US institutions.
- IDN TLDs: extensions written in non-Latin scripts.
How TLDs work
When someone types your address, their DNS resolver first asks the root servers where to find the TLD's nameservers, then asks those which nameservers handle your domain. That's how a lookup for example.com finds its way to the right server. The TLD's registry also sets the rules: wholesale prices, who can register, and how disputes are handled.
How to choose a TLD for your website
- Go with .com if you can. It's the most recognised, and many people type it by default.
- Use your country code if you trade mainly in one country, as it signals that you're local.
- Use a descriptive gTLD like .site or .wiki when the .com is taken and the extension fits what you do.
- Register the obvious alternatives to protect your brand from typosquatting.
Search engines don't rank one generic TLD above another, so pick for trust and memorability. AblePage registers .com and .net at $15.95/yr and .org at $19.95/yr, with the same price to renew or transfer. See domain registration for the full list.
Common TLD mistakes
- Choosing a TLD that's cheap in the first year but has a high renewal price
- Picking a ccTLD with residency rules you don't meet
- Forgetting that a ccTLD's rules are set by that country's registry and can change
- Assuming visitors will remember an unusual extension without being reminded