How much does a domain name cost?

However, the real cost depends on three things: the extension you choose, the registrar you register with, and whether you are looking at the first-year price or what you will pay from year two onward. This article breaks down each of those factors with data so you can compare accurately before you commit.

What does a domain name cost on average?

Domain name pricing varies widely by extension category. The average domain registration and renewal cost looks very different depending on which type you choose. The table below shows average registration and renewal prices across the most common extension types. These are directional averages across registrars; TLD-list tracks live prices for more than 2,000 domain extensions.

A few patterns worth noting. The most popular domain extension, .com, sits between $10.00 and $15.00/year to register at standard rates across most registrars. Newer alternatives like .io and .ai command a higher domain price because their registries set a higher base rate. Budget extensions like .xyz and .site typically cost as little as $1.00 to register for the first year but often renew at a significantly higher rate. That gap matters more than the registration cost itself, which section three covers in detail.

Prices are directional

Prices in this article were gathered manually in August 2026 and aren't updated in real time; treat them as indicative. For current domain registration, renewal, and transfer prices across the world's top 50 registrars, see TLD-List.

What factors affect the cost of a domain name?

Five variables drive differences in domain name price. Understanding each one helps you compare options accurately rather than anchoring on the lowest number you see.

• The type of domain: The type of domain you register is the biggest single driver of the price of a domain. Each extension has a registry price set by the organization that controls it. Certain domain extensions, particularly newer alternatives like .io and .ai, are often priced higher because their registries charge more at wholesale. Budget extensions like .xyz or .site can register under $2.00/year but often renew at a higher standard rate. Comparing across extensions means looking at both numbers.
• Domain category: Prices for “high value domains” both in the secondary market or premium domains are higher and hard to predict.
• The registrar markup: Each domain registrar adds its own margin on top of the registry price. The same .com domain can range from $8.00 to $20.00/year depending on the registrar. That variation does not reflect quality differences; it reflects each registrar's pricing strategy. Most domain registrars offer competitive first-year promotions that expire on renewal, so a domain extension comparison is only useful if you are comparing the same extension across registrars — not just picking the cheapest-looking option at a single registrar.
• First-year promotional pricing vs. renewal price: This is the most common source of budget surprises. Many registrars offer low first-year prices that do not apply from year two onward. A domain name cost of $0.99 to register may cost $14.99 to renew. The renewal price is what you are actually committing to long-term.
• WHOIS privacy protection: Some registrars include free domain privacy at no extra charge. Others charge $5.00–$15.00/year as an add-on. Always check whether WHOIS privacy is included or separate before comparing prices, because it changes the true annual domain cost.
• Registration length: You can register a domain for one to ten years at most registrars. Some offer a small discount for multi-year registrations, though the savings are usually modest. The more practical benefit is locking in the current renewal cost and reducing the risk of forgetting to renew your domain name.

Registration price vs. renewal price: the difference that matters

The most important number to check before registering a domain is not the registration cost. It is the renewal price.

Many registrars offer low first-year prices that function as a promotion to attract new customers. Year two onward, the domain renews at the standard rate, which is often three to five times higher than the first-year price. A .com domain might register for $3.95 the first year and renew at $14.99. That is the rate you will pay every year after that.

Registering a new domain at standard rates is the most predictable cost scenario. Standard .com domains typically cost $10.00–$15.00/year at renewal. Budget extensions usually cost under $5.00/year to register, but often renew at significantly higher rates. The registration cost is distinct from the renewal cost — confusing the two is the most common budgeting mistake when buying a domain.

The table below shows how this pattern plays out across popular extensions. Use .com domain prices on TLD-list to see current registration and renewal rates across registrars side by side.

How much does a premium domain name cost?

What influences premium domain name pricing?

A premium domain name is one priced above the standard registration rate because of its perceived value. Premium domains fall into two categories, and the cost structure is different for each.

Registry premium domains are designated as premium by the registry that controls the extension. Both registration and renewal prices are elevated, year after year. A domain that costs $50.00 to register as a registry premium domain typically renews at the same elevated rate or higher. The higher domain cost does not go away after the first year.

Aftermarket premium domains are previously registered domains resold by the current owner. They carry a one-time purchase price, often ranging from $1,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on the domain's length, keywords, and perceived brand value. A domain that matches your business name or a high-demand keyword will usually command a significant premium. Once you buy an aftermarket domain, it renews at the standard rate for that extension, not the aftermarket purchase price.

Realistic price ranges:

• Registry premium domains: $20.00 to several hundred dollars per year
• Aftermarket premium domains: $1,000 to $1,000,000 or more (one-time cost, standard renewal after)

If a domain appears available but shows a high registration price, check whether it has been flagged as a registry premium before proceeding. Standard availability results can sometimes surface expensive domain options without clear labeling. Always check the renewal price on TLD-list before committing.

Domain brokers, auctions, and the price of a domain name

If your desired domain is already registered and not available at standard rates, you have two main routes. A domain broker can approach the current owner and negotiate a purchase price on your behalf, typically charging a commission on the final sale. Alternatively, an expired domain, one whose previous owner did not renew their domain name, will often surface through a domain auction, where bidding drives the final price.

The cost to buy a domain through either channel varies widely. A domain that matches a business name or popular search term can range from a few hundred to several million dollars. Once acquired, the right domain renews at standard registry rates going forward, so an expensive one-time purchase becomes a predictable annual cost from year two onward.

Can you get a free domain name?

Yes, in limited circumstances. Some web hosting plans and website builders include a free domain for the first year as part of a paid plan. Wix, Squarespace, and select hosting providers offer this as a way to bundle domain registration with their platform subscription.

A few things to understand about these offers:

• "Free" almost always means the first year only. After year one, the domain renews at the standard rate for that extension. The web hosting subscription and the domain renewal are typically separate costs going forward.
• The included domain is usually a standard extension. If you want a newer alternative or a budget extension, it may not be covered by the free offer.
• Budget extensions are a low-cost alternative. Extensions like .xyz, .site, or .online usually cost under $2.00/year for builders not ready to commit to a full hosting plan.

To explore all the options and understand what "free" actually means before you sign up, see TLD-list's guide on how to get a free domain name.

How to compare domain prices before buying a domain name

Accurate price comparison accounts for all three costs: registration, renewal, and WHOIS privacy. Here is a four-step process for comparing the right numbers when you choose a domain.

How to choose a domain name at the right price

1. Decide on your target extensions. Think about your audience, industry, and long-term brand. A .com is still the default for most global projects. Country-code extensions suit location-specific businesses. Newer alternatives like .io or .co fit tech and creative projects where .com is unavailable or priced too high on the aftermarket. Your top-level domain choice shapes both brand perception and your annual domain cost per year.
2. Compare registration and renewal prices. The domain name price displayed on a registrar's homepage is almost always the first-year promo price. The actual price of a domain name at renewal is the number that matters long-term. Use TLD-list to compare both registration and renewal prices for the same extension across multiple registrars. Never compare on registration price alone when buying a domain name.
3. Check whether WHOIS privacy is included. Some registrars include free domain privacy at no extra charge. Others charge $5.00–$15.00/year separately. Factor this into the true annual domain name cost before you register. If you plan to transfer a domain to another registrar later, check transfer fees too, these vary by extension and provider. Most registrars allow you to move your domain after 60 days, and many include a free renewal year when you transfer your domain to a new provider.
4. Calculate the three-year total cost. The year-one price does not reflect what you will pay long-term. Multiply the renewal price by three, add WHOIS privacy if it is charged separately, and compare that number across registrars. This gives you the true cost of owning your perfect domain name over a realistic time horizon.

If you also need a custom domain for professional email, that setup is typically handled separately from registration and adds to your total annual cost.

Frequently asked questions

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.