Extension
.museum
.museum in short
The .museum domain is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) reserved for verified museums and museum professionals. It is one of the oldest restricted extensions, managed historically by the Museum Domain Management Association (MuseDoma).
.museum at a glance
Type
sTLD — Sponsored top-level domain
Registry
Museum Domain Management Association
Launched
2001
Country / scope
Generic — no country
Restrictions
Verified — museums and museum professionals only
Typical price
Restricted
Example sites
museum sites
Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology
How to obtain a .museum domain
.museum is a restricted extension that is not available through ordinary domain registrars. Eligibility is limited to the community described below, and names are assigned through the sponsoring authority's own process rather than a public checkout. If you do not qualify, a generic extension such as .com or .org is the appropriate alternative.
tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar. Restricted-TLD eligibility and processes are determined by the sponsoring authority.
What does .museum mean?
The .museum extension is a sponsored, restricted top-level domain created specifically for the museum community. Introduced in 2001 as one of the first wave of sponsored TLDs, it is also notable for being a rare long extension — a full word rather than the usual two or three letters. Its purpose is to give museums a clearly identifiable, trustworthy home on the internet.
The defining feature of .museum is eligibility. It is not open to the public: registrants must be genuine museums, museum associations or qualified museum professionals, and that status is verified before a name is granted. The sponsoring body has historically been the Museum Domain Management Association (MuseDoma), working on behalf of the international museum community.
Who uses .museum?
.museum is used by art galleries, history and science museums, cultural institutions, museum associations and museum professionals around the world. Because eligibility is verified, a .museum address signals an authentic cultural institution rather than a hobby site or commercial imitation — valuable for an audience that cares about provenance and trust.
It has never been a high-volume extension; most museums also or instead use a .org or a national country-code domain that visitors find more familiar. But for institutions that want an unambiguous, sector-specific identity, .museum remains a distinctive and credible choice.
.museum registration rules and requirements
.museum is restricted and verified. To register, an applicant must demonstrate that they are a museum, a museum-related organisation or a museum professional, in line with the sponsoring association's charter. The verification step is what gives the extension its credibility, and it means .museum is essentially free of the speculation and abuse seen on open TLDs. Registration is handled through accredited channels working with the sponsoring body rather than through every mainstream registrar.
Can you buy a .museum domain?
No — .museum is a restricted extension and is not sold to the public. It is reserved for the eligible community described above, so there is no open price or registrar checkout. The table below summarises who may hold a .museum name and who administers it.
| Aspect | .museum status |
|---|---|
| Eligible registrants | Verified museums & professionals |
| Accredited / sponsoring channels | Restricted registration |
| Public open registration | Not available |
.museum pros and cons
Pros
- Verified eligibility signals an authentic cultural institution.
- Distinctive full-word extension dedicated to museums.
- Largely free of speculation and abuse thanks to vetting.
- Clear, sector-specific identity for the museum community.
Cons
- Restricted — only museums and museum professionals qualify.
- Long extension is less common and less familiar to visitors.
- Not available through every mainstream registrar.
- Many institutions still default to .org or a national domain.
Example .museum websites
- Art, history and science museums register institutional names under .museum.
- Museum associations and networks use .museum for sector resources.
- Qualified museum professionals can hold themed .museum addresses.
.museum — frequently asked questions
What is the .museum domain?
The .museum domain is a sponsored, restricted top-level domain for verified museums and museum professionals. Created in 2001, it is one of the oldest sponsored extensions and a rare full-word TLD, intended to give the museum community a trustworthy, identifiable home online.
Who can register a .museum domain?
Only verified museums, museum-related organisations and qualified museum professionals. Eligibility is checked against the sponsoring association's charter before a name is granted, so the extension is not open to the general public.
How do you register a .museum domain?
Registration goes through accredited channels working with the sponsoring body rather than every mainstream registrar, and requires proof of museum status. The verification step is what gives .museum its credibility.
Why do some museums use .org instead of .museum?
Many museums choose .org or a national country-code domain because those are more familiar to visitors and easier to register. .museum offers a distinctive, verified identity, but its restricted nature and lower familiarity mean it is used alongside, or instead of, more mainstream options.