Methodology: how we compile the TLD list
Every figure on tldlist.us traces back to an authoritative source. This page explains exactly where our TLD data comes from, how we classify and price extensions, and how often the list is refreshed — so you can trust what you cite.
TLD names and registries come from the IANA root zone database; types and restrictions follow ICANN and registry policy; example sites and indicative prices are compiled from public registrar data and reviewed regularly.
1. The list of TLDs
The set of valid top-level domains is not a matter of opinion — it is defined by the internet root zone. We use the IANA Root Zone Database, the official registry of every delegated TLD maintained by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority on behalf of ICANN, as our master reference for which extensions exist and which organization operates each one. tldlist.us curates the most useful 100+ of those for buyers and developers rather than reproducing the full ~1,440-entry root zone.
2. How we classify each TLD
We use the same three-way split that IANA and ICANN use:
| Type | Definition | How we determine it |
|---|---|---|
| gTLD | Generic top-level domain — open, not tied to a country. | IANA "generic" classification |
| ccTLD | Country-code TLD — a two-letter code from the ISO 3166-1 country list. | IANA "country-code" classification |
| sTLD | Sponsored TLD — operated for a defined community under eligibility rules. | IANA "sponsored" classification |
Note: a few country-code TLDs (such as .io, .co, .ai, .tv and .me) are technically ccTLDs but are marketed and used generically worldwide. We label these as ccTLDs but describe their generic use in the "meaning" column.
3. Registry information
The "registry" for each TLD — the organization that runs it in the root zone — is taken from the IANA delegation record for that TLD. Registries do change over time (for example through acquisitions and re-delegations), so this field is part of every refresh cycle.
4. How prices are determined
Domain prices are set by registrars, not by us, and they vary widely. The "typical price" we show is an indicative annual figure in US dollars chosen to represent a normal standard rate across mainstream registrars — deliberately not the lowest promotional first-year price, because those promotions expire and the renewal is what you actually pay long-term.
- Figures are rounded and meant for comparison, not as a price quote.
- Restricted or sponsored TLDs (such as .gov, .edu and .int) are marked restricted rather than priced, because they are not sold on the open market.
- Always confirm the current first-year and renewal price with your chosen registrar before buying.
5. Example sites
Example websites are real, well-known live sites chosen to show how an extension reads in practice. They are illustrative and do not imply any endorsement of, or by, tldlist.us.
6. Update cadence
We review the dataset on a regular schedule and after major events in the domain industry — such as ICANN delegating new gTLDs, registry re-delegations, or notable price changes. Each page shows a visible "Last updated" date so you always know how current the information is. The dataset's machine-readable form is described in the Dataset structured data on the homepage.
7. Corrections
If you spot an error — an outdated registry, a wrong price band, a mislabeled type — email [email protected]. We correct verified issues promptly and update the page date.