When you see a website online, have you ever wondered who owns it? Whether you want to buy a domain, check its expiry date, or investigate a suspicious website, a WHOIS lookup helps you find domain details.

Every domain name registered on the internet has publicly available information stored in a WHOIS database. A WHOIS lookup allows you to retrieve details like domain ownership, registration dates, and hosting information.

In this guide, we will cover:

•  What WHOIS lookup is and how it works
• Why people use WHOIS lookup
•  How to check a domain’s WHOIS details
• The best WHOIS lookup tools

Let’s get started!

A WHOIS lookup is a search tool that provides registration details of a domain name. When a person registers a domain, their information is recorded in a global database. This includes:

✔️ Domain Owner’s Name (unless hidden)
✔️ Registrar Name (company where the domain is registered)
✔️ Registration and Expiry Dates (when the domain was purchased and when it expires)
✔️ Name Servers (which hosting provider is being used)

Organizations like ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) maintain this data to keep domain registrations transparent. Many domain owners enable privacy protection to keep their details hidden from public searches.

People search for WHOIS lookup for many reasons. Here are some of the most common uses:

1. Checking Domain Availability

Want a specific domain name? If it’s already taken, a WHOIS lookup helps you see the owner’s details and registration status. This way, you can contact them to negotiate a purchase.

2. Monitoring Expiration Dates

If you are waiting for a domain to become available, a WHOIS lookup can show its expiry date. Some domains are put back on the market if the owner doesn’t renew them.

3. Verifying Website Authenticity

With increasing online scams, checking a domain’s WHOIS lookup can reveal if a website is suspicious. If the registration details are hidden or newly created, it may be a fake website.

4. Researching Competitors

Marketers and businesses use WHOIS lookup to track domain registration trends. This helps them understand competitor strategies and domain acquisition patterns.

5. Checking Hosting Information

A WHOIS lookup can also reveal where a website is hosted. This helps developers, cybersecurity professionals, and businesses make informed decisions about web hosting providers.

Checking a domain’s WHOIS details is simple. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit a WHOIS Lookup Website

Many websites offer free WHOIS lookup services. Some reliable options include:

• ICANN WHOIS – Official lookup tool by ICANN
• Whois.com – Provides basic domain information
• DomainTools – Offers additional domain history tracking

Step 2: Enter the Domain Name

Type the domain name you want to check. For example, searching example.com will display ownership details and other domain-related information.

Step 3: Review the Results

The WHOIS lookup tool generates details about the domain, including:

✅ Ownership and registration details
✅ Expiry and renewal information
✅ Hosting and DNS records

Yes, domain owners can enable WHOIS privacy protection to keep their personal details hidden from public searches. Instead of displaying personal data, the registrar’s contact information is shown.

This feature protects website owners from spam, identity theft, and unwanted solicitations. Most domain registrars, including GreenGeeks, InMotion and Hostinger, offer privacy protection services.

Here are some recommended tools for performing a WHOIS lookup:

Each of these tools is free to use and provides essential domain information.

A WHOIS lookup is a valuable tool for checking domain ownership, expiry dates, and hosting details. Whether you’re buying a domain, verifying a website, or researching competitors, a WHOIS lookup provides important insights.

Now that you understand how WHOIS lookup works, try checking a domain today!