Expiration date
The expiration date is when a domain registration ends if not renewed. It is set by the registry and visible in WHOIS/RDAP. After expiration the domain enters autoRenewPeriod, then redemptionPeriod, then pendingDelete — totaling about 80 days for gTLDs before the domain becomes available for re-registration. The registrant can renew at any point in the first ~75 days.
Also known as: Expiry date
In depth
Domain registrations are time-bound. You register for 1 year (typical) up to 10 years (max for most gTLDs). At the end of the registration period the domain expires unless renewed.
Expiration does not immediately mean availability. The standard gTLD lifecycle has three phases between expiration and drop: autoRenewPeriod (45 days), redemptionPeriod (30 days), pendingDelete (5 days). The registrant can recover the domain at any point in the first 75 days, with redemption fees rising as time progresses.
For domain buyers watching an expiry, the expiration date itself is a relatively weak signal — most domains get renewed. The stronger signals are the lifecycle phase transitions: into autoRenewPeriod (registrant did not auto-renew), into redemptionPeriod (registrar formally deleted), into pendingDelete (drop imminent).
Examples
- A domain registered on 2024-03-15 for 2 years has an expiration date of 2026-03-15.
- A domain that expires on 2026-03-15 will, if not renewed, drop around 2026-06-04 (approximately 80 days later).
- Premium domain holders typically register for the maximum 10 years to avoid renewal risk.
Frequently asked questions
When does a domain become available after expiration?
For gTLDs, approximately 80 days after expiration. The lifecycle is: 45-day auto-renew + 30-day redemption + 5-day pendingDelete.
Can the registrant recover an expired domain?
Yes, in most cases, for the first ~75 days post-expiration. Recovery fees rise as time progresses — normal renewal during autoRenewPeriod, premium redemption fee during redemptionPeriod, and impossible during pendingDelete.
What is the maximum domain registration period?
10 years for most gTLDs. Some ccTLDs have shorter or longer maximums.
Do registrars send expiration warnings?
Yes. ICANN policy requires multiple notifications: 30 days before expiration, 7 days before, and after expiration. Most registrars send more frequently than the minimum.
Is the expiration date public?
Yes. It is visible in WHOIS and RDAP and is not redacted by GDPR.
References
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