What is a top-level domain (TLD)?

What is a top-level domain (TLD)?

In the DNS hierarchy, a top-level domain (TLD) represents the first stop after the root zone. In simpler terms, a TLD is everything that follows the final dot of a domain name. For example, in the domain name ‘google.com’, ‘.com’ is the TLD. Some other popular TLDs include ‘.org’, ‘.uk’, and ‘.edu’.

TLDs play an important role in the DNS lookup process. For all uncached requests, when a user enters a domain name like ‘google.com’ into their browser window, the DNS resolvers start the search by communicating with the TLD server. In this case, the TLD is ‘.com’, so the resolver will contact the TLD DNS server, which will then provide the resolver with the IP address of Google’s origin server.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has authority over all TLDs used on the Internet, and it delegates the responsibility of these TLDs to various organizations. For example, a U.S. company called VeriSign operates all ‘.com’ and ‘.net’ TLDs.

Another purpose of TLDs is to help classify and communicate the purpose of domain names. Every TLD will tell you something about the domain that precedes it; let’s look at some examples:

• ’.com’ is intended for commercial businesses.
• ’.gov’ is for U.S. government entities.
• ’.uk’ is for domains from the United Kingdom.

TLDs themselves are also classified into one of several groups.

What are the different types of TLDs?

• Generic TLDs: Generic TLDs (gTLDs) encompass some of the more common domain names seen on the web, such as ‘.com’, ‘.net’, and ‘.org’. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) used to heavily restrict the creation of new gTLDs, but in 2010 these restrictions were relaxed. Now there are hundreds of lesser-known gTLDs, such as ‘.top’, ‘.xyz’, and ‘.loan’.
• Country-code TLDs: Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are reserved for use by countries, sovereign states, and territories. Some examples are ‘.uk’, ‘.au’ (Australia), and ‘.jp’ (Japan). The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which is run by ICANN, is in charge of picking appropriate organizations in each location to manage ccTLDs.
• Sponsored TLDs: These TLDs typically represent professional, ethnic, or geographical communities. Each sponsored TLD (sTLD) has a delegated sponsor that represents that community. For example, ‘.app’ is a TLD intended for the developer community, and it is sponsored by Google. Similarly, ‘.gov’ is intended for use by the U.S. government, and is sponsored by the General Services Administration.
• Infrastructural TLDs: This category only contains a single TLD: ‘.arpa’. Named for DARPA, the U.S. military research organization that helped pioneer the modern Internet, ‘.arpa’ was the first TLD ever created and is now reserved for infrastructural duties, such as facilitating reverse DNS lookups.
• Reserved TLDs: Some TLDs are on a reserved list, which means they are permanently unavailable for use. For example, ‘.localhost’ is reserved for local computer environments, and ‘.example’ is reserved for use in example demonstrations.

Do TLDs matter?

There are now so many TLD options available that the choice can be overwhelming for someone trying to register a new domain name. For years ‘.com’ was seen as the only option for businesses that want to be taken seriously. But as the supply of ‘.com’ domains dwindles and some of the newer TLDs continue to pick up steam, the perception of alternative TLDs has shifted. Some big companies are already adopting alternative TLDs for certain use cases. Businesses today have the option to create a clever and memorable domain name using an alternative TLD, rather than being stuck with a ‘.com’ domain.

How to register a TLD

Anyone can register a domain name, including a TLD, through a domain registrar. Domain registrars manage the assignment of domain names for a fee. Registrars offer a variety of TLDs, although some will have a greater variety available than others. It costs more to register for some TLDs than others; prices vary according to supply and demand.

Registrants should be aware that they do not own their TLD permanently. Instead, domains are leased, and domains can expire when the terms of the lease end. (Trustworthy domain registrars alert registrants when a domain is about to expire, and allow them to renew.)

Cloudflare Registrar offers at-cost domain registration and renewal with no markups or hidden fees. Cloudflare Registrar supports over 390 TLDs, from niche TLDs to the most common ones like '.com,' '.org,' and '.uk.' Learn more about buying domains with Cloudflare Registrar.

FAQs

What is a top-level domain (TLD) in the DNS hierarchy?

A top-level domain (TLD) everything that follows the last dot in a domain name, like “.com” in "cloudflare.com." In the DNS lookup process, the DNS resolver queries the TLD server first.

What are the main types of TLDs?

The main types of TLDs are generic TLDs (gTLDs), country-code TLDs (ccTLDs), sponsored TLDs (sTLDs), and reserved TLDs. Typically, one is most likely to encounter gTLDs (like ".com" or ".org"), ccTLDs (like ".uk" or ".in"), and sTLDs (like ".gov"). Reserved TLDs are not used for public-facing websites, but they are used for testing and documentation — ".localhost" is a reserved TLD, for instance. There is also one infrastructure TLD, ".arpa"; this TLD is used only for behind-the-scenes activities like reverse DNS lookups.

Who controls the use and assignment of TLDs on the internet?

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has control over all TLDs used on the Internet. However, ICANN delegates the management of these domains to various other organizations. Domain registrars, meanwhile, allow people and companies to reserve and lease TLDs for their web properties.

Why are TLDs important?

TLDs classify and communicate the purpose of domain names, play a key role in the DNS lookup process, and help identify the origin or type of a website, such as commercial, government, or geographical.

How are domain names registered? Do you own them permanently?

Domain names, including TLDs, are leased through domain registrars for a fee. You do not own them permanently; domains can expire if they are not renewed.

What role do TLD servers play in DNS lookups?

When someone types a domain in their browser, DNS resolvers contact the TLD server to help find the correct IP address for the domain's origin server.