.com domain registration: how to register a .com
How .com domain registration works: who runs .com, how to register a name in five steps, what to check before you pay, and how long you can own it.
Registering a .com takes about five minutes: search for the name, add it to a cart at a registrar, pay, and turn on a few settings. Here is how it works and what to watch so you don't overpay or lose the name later.
How .com registration works
Every .com is listed in one central database run by the registry, Verisign. You don't buy from Verisign directly. You register through a registrar: a company accredited by ICANN to sell domains, such as Cloudflare, Porkbun, Namecheap or GoDaddy. The registrar records you as the registrant and handles renewals, DNS and transfers. For the full picture, see registrar vs registry.
Register a .com in five steps
- Check the name. Use our domain search to see if the .com is free. If it's taken, see how to buy a domain that's taken.
- Pick a registrar. Compare the renewal price, not just the first-year price. TLD-List compares registrars side by side.
- Add it to your cart and choose a term. One year is fine; you can renew later.
- Enter accurate contact details. They're required by ICANN rules. WHOIS privacy hides them from the public.
- Pay, then secure it. Turn on auto-renew, two-factor login and the registrar lock. Our domain security checklist covers each.
What to check before you pay
- Renewal price: cheap first years often renew at a much higher price.
- Free WHOIS privacy: most good registrars include it.
- Upsells: hosting, email and "SEO" add-ons are optional. You can add them later from anyone.
- Transfer rules: a new registration can't usually be moved to another registrar for 60 days. See how to transfer a domain.
How long you own it
You don't buy a .com outright. You register it for 1 to 10 years at a time and keep it as long as you keep renewing. If a renewal fails, there's a short grace period before it can be lost: see what happens when a domain expires.
Questions
How do I register a .com domain?
Search for the name, add it to a cart at an ICANN-accredited registrar, enter your contact details, pay, then turn on auto-renew, two-factor login and the registrar lock.
Can I buy a .com domain forever?
No. Domains are registered for 1 to 10 years at a time. You keep a name as long as you renew it.
What is the best way to buy a domain?
Use a reputable registrar with a fair renewal price and free WHOIS privacy, and turn on auto-renew so the name never lapses.
Is 'domain registeration' the same as domain registration?
Yes. It's a common misspelling. Both mean recording a domain in your name through a registrar.