Extension
.cn
.cn in short
The .cn domain is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for China, operated by CNNIC. Registration requires real-name verification, and hosting a .cn site to mainland audiences also requires an ICP licence/filing — it is the standard domain for the Chinese market.
.cn at a glance
Type
ccTLD — Country-code top-level domain
Registry
CNNIC
Launched
1990
Country / scope
China
Restrictions
Real-name verification required; ICP licence/filing needed to host in mainland China
Typical price
$8/yr
Example sites
Chinese sites
Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology
Where to register a .cn 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 .cn mean?
The .cn extension is the national domain of the People’s Republic of China, “cn” being the ISO country code. It is operated by CNNIC, the China Internet Network Information Center, under the relevant Chinese authorities. As the gateway to the world’s largest internet population, .cn is the essential, locally trusted extension for any serious presence in mainland China.
It is used directly as .cn and via structured second levels such as com.cn, net.cn and gov.cn. Crucially, .cn comes with regulatory obligations that most Western ccTLDs do not.
Who uses .cn?
Chinese companies, e-commerce platforms, banks, media and government bodies, plus international brands that maintain a genuine, compliant presence in mainland China. For local SEO, customer trust and visibility within China’s tightly regulated internet, a properly filed .cn domain hosted in-country is effectively required — a foreign .com is heavily disadvantaged.
.cn registration rules and requirements
.cn is regulated. Registration requires real-name verification — you must submit identity or business documents that the registrar verifies. More importantly, to legally host a .cn website serving mainland audiences you need an ICP licence or filing (ICP 备案) tied to in-China hosting. Foreign businesses typically need a Chinese entity or a local partner to satisfy these rules. Registering the name is the easy part; compliant hosting is the real hurdle.
How much does a .cn cost?
.cn is cheap at the registry level, often about $7–$12 per year. The domain fee is minor; the real cost and effort lie in real-name verification and obtaining an ICP filing through compliant Chinese hosting, which can require local presence and time.
| Item | Typical .cn cost / requirement |
|---|---|
| .cn domain registration | ~$7–12/yr |
| Real-name verification | Required (ID/business docs) |
| ICP filing + China hosting | Separate process, time + local presence |
.cn pros and cons
Pros
- Essential for a serious, compliant presence in China.
- Strong local trust and SEO within the Chinese market.
- Cheap at the registry level.
- Real-name rules deter casual squatting.
Cons
- Requires real-name verification of identity/business.
- ICP licence + in-China hosting needed to serve mainland users.
- Hard for foreign firms without a Chinese entity or partner.
- Little use or meaning outside China.
Example .cn websites
- Chinese e-commerce, banking and media sites on .cn / com.cn.
- Government services under gov.cn.
- International brands’ compliant China sites with ICP filing.
.cn — frequently asked questions
What is the .cn domain?
The .cn domain is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for China, operated by CNNIC. Registration requires real-name verification, and hosting a .cn site to mainland audiences also requires an ICP licence/filing — it is the standard domain for the Chinese market.
Who can register a .cn domain?
Registrants must pass real-name verification by submitting identity or business documents. To host a .cn site for mainland audiences you also need an ICP licence/filing tied to in-China hosting; foreign businesses usually require a Chinese entity or local partner.
How much does a .cn domain cost?
A .cn domain is cheap at the registry level, typically around $7–$12 per year. The larger cost is in real-name verification and obtaining an ICP filing with compliant Chinese hosting.
Do I need an ICP licence for a .cn domain?
To legally host a .cn website serving mainland China, yes — you need an ICP filing or licence (ICP 备案) tied to in-China hosting. You can register the name without it, but compliant mainland hosting requires the filing.