Example Domain names

google.com is a domain name. "google" is the name chosen at registration and ".com" is the extension. If you have ever wondered exactly what a domain name is, it is simply the human-readable address of a website that points visitors to the correct server so their browser knows where to load a page from. Domain names come in many forms, from global extensions like .com and .org, to country-specific ones like .de and .co.uk, to newer options like .io and .ai. This guide shows examples of each domain type so you can see what a domain name looks like before buying a domain of your own.

What does a domain name look like? The basic structure

A domain name has two required parts and one optional part. Understanding this breakdown makes it much easier to compare the different types of domain names you will meet later in this guide.

A few examples of how this looks in practice:

• www.tld-list.com, subdomain + second-level domain + TLD
• google.com, second-level domain + TLD only (no subdomain)
• support.amazon.co.uk, subdomain + second-level domain + two-part country code TLD

Most websites use only the second-level domain and TLD. A subdomain is a third-level domain that appears when a site has organized content into distinct sections, such as docs.stripe.com for documentation or api.github.com for a developer API. Each third-level domain is configured in DNS settings rather than registered separately. Behind the scenes, the domain name system translates every one of these names into the IP address of the machine that serves the site, so visitors never have to remember a string of numbers.

Generic domain name examples (.com, .org, .net)

The most widely used domain extensions are the original generic top-level domains (TLDs): .com, .org, and .net. These extensions are open to anyone and carry no geographic restriction.

Country-code domain name examples (ccTLDs)

Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are two-letter extensions tied to specific countries or territories. These country-code TLDs can be required for certain local markets and can boost local credibility in search results.

A few things to know about ccTLDs:

• Some ccTLDs require proof of local presence or residency to register.
• Google treats most ccTLDs as geographic signals, which can support local search rankings.
• Some ccTLDs, particularly .co and .io, have been adopted as general-purpose extensions by brands outside their home countries.

Registration policies and prices vary significantly by country. Check renewal pricing before you register a domain name with any country-code TLD.

New gTLD domain name examples (.io, .ai, .app, .shop)

New generic TLDs launched after 2012 and now cover hundreds of extensions tied to industries, activities, and use cases. They let brands communicate something specific through the suffix itself.

New gTLD renewal pricing is often much higher than the first-year promotional price. A domain that costs $5.00 to register in year one may renew at $60.00 or more. Always check the renewal price before you register a domain name. See the domain extension guide for a full comparison of available extensions and their price ranges.

Subdomain examples and when they are used

Subdomains allow site owners to organize content under the same root domain. They are free to create once you own the main domain, so no separate registration is needed.

Subdomains are configured in your domain name system (DNS) settings, usually through the dashboard of your web host or registrar. They share the root domain's ownership and are not registered as separate domains. When you own company.com, you can create as many subdomains as your web host or DNS provider allows at no extra registration cost, and each one still resolves to the same underlying server.

Choosing a domain name? Criteria with examples

The perfect domain name is one that readers can hear once and type correctly. A few criteria to check before buying a domain:

• Short and memorable. airbnb.com is eight characters and easy to say. affordablevacationrentals.com is descriptive but hard to share verbally or remember precisely.
• Easy to spell and say. zoom.us is short and phonetically clean. fiverr.com uses an unusual double-r spelling that took time to establish as a recognizable brand. That works for established companies, but it creates friction for new ones.
• Extension match. Use .com for sites intended for a global audience. If your business serves one country, a ccTLD can reinforce local relevance. For products in specific industries such as developer tools, AI startups, and apps, industry-specific extensions like .io, .ai, and .app have become widely recognized.
• Renewal cost reality. Compare year-two pricing before registering, not just the first-year promotional price. The cheapest first-year option is not always the lowest long-term cost. Remember that the price you pay covers the name only, not the web host or server that stores your site's files, which are billed separately.

Frequently asked questions

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About the Author:

TLD-list

Editor team

Small crew of builders who believe a great idea should not be held back by a bad domain deal. We know this space inside out, from obscure new extensions to the registrar tricks that quietly inflate your renewal. We put that knowledge to work so you can spend less time worrying about domains and more time building the thing that matters.