Extension
.city
.city in short
The .city domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) for local and place-based websites — city guides, local businesses, tourism and community projects. Launched in 2014 and operated by Identity Digital, it is open to anyone and pairs naturally with a place name.
.city at a glance
Type
gTLD — Generic top-level domain
Registry
Identity Digital (Binky Moon; originally Donuts)
Launched
2014
Country / scope
Generic — no country
Restrictions
Open to anyone
Typical price
$18/yr
Example sites
local guides & tourism sites
Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology
Where to register a .city domain
Prices are indicative and set by each registrar; renewal rates may differ from first-year promotions. Links may be sponsored. tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar.
What does .city mean?
The .city extension is a place-and-community gTLD designed for anything tied to a particular town or urban area. It was delegated in 2014 (originally under Donuts, now Identity Digital) and is meant to pair with a place name — berlin.city, dubai.city — to create an instantly local address.
Where a country code says which nation a site belongs to, .city narrows the focus to a single metropolis, which makes it a tidy fit for local guides, civic projects and businesses that serve one area.
Who uses .city?
Local-business directories, tourism and city-guide sites, event and community projects, and businesses that want to flag the place they serve. Live examples like berlin.city, dubai.city and we.city show the range, from city portals to neighbourhood brands.
Estate agents, tour operators, transport services and local bloggers all find the place-plus-.city formula memorable, and because most city names are short, exact-match registrations are easy to build.
.city registration rules and requirements
Registration is open to anyone, anywhere — you do not have to be a municipality, live in the city or prove any local connection. Names are sold first-come, first-served under standard ICANN policy, so securing a desirable place name is simply a matter of getting there first.
How much does a .city cost?
A .city is a mid-priced gTLD, usually around $18 per year at the standard rate, often with a cheaper first-year offer. Renewals are reasonable rather than premium, which makes it a sensible long-term hold for a local brand or guide.
Is .city good for SEO?
As a generic TLD it gets no ranking boost or penalty. The indirect benefit is local relevance: a place name in the domain can reinforce the geography for users and lift click-through for local searches, though the algorithm treats the extension itself as neutral. See how to compare and choose a TLD.
.city vs alternatives
For local sites, .city competes with .live, .club and .world, or with a descriptive .com that spells out the place. Its advantage is the literal “city” word that pairs cleanly with a place name; its limitation is that it only makes sense for genuinely local projects.
.city pros and cons
Pros
- Pairs naturally with a place name for an instant local address.
- Open to anyone — no municipal or residency requirement.
- Reasonable, non-premium renewal pricing.
- Short, exact-match city names are easy to secure.
Cons
- Only meaningful for genuinely local or place-based sites.
- Some prime city names are already registered.
- Less public recognition than .com.
- No benefit for a national or global brand.
Example .city websites
- berlin.city — a place-based portal using the city-plus-.city pattern.
- dubai.city — a city guide and local-information address.
- we.city — a short, brandable community-style .city name.
.city — frequently asked questions
What is the .city domain?
The .city domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) launched in 2014 and operated by Identity Digital. It is designed for local and place-based sites — city guides, local businesses, tourism and community projects — and is open to anyone.
Who can register a .city domain?
Anyone, anywhere can register a .city domain. You do not need to be a municipality or live in the city; names are sold first-come, first-served through standard registrars.
How much does a .city domain cost?
A .city domain typically costs around $18 per year at the standard rate, often with a cheaper first-year offer. Renewals are reasonable rather than premium.
Can a city government use .city?
Yes, and many local portals and tourism boards do — but so can any business or individual, since there are no eligibility restrictions on registering a .city domain.