Skip to content
Education Host

Tools

Whois Lookup

Look up public domain registration information where available.

This lookup uses RDAP — the structured successor to the old Whois protocol — querying the registry responsible for the domain's extension via the IANA directory. It shows registrar, key dates, status codes and nameservers where the registry publishes them.

Whois/RDAP data may be redacted by registrars or registries, so not every domain will show owner or contact information.

Education Host runs your lookup for this request only. It is not stored in a database by this tool, although normal server and security logs may record requests like any other website.

The basics

What is Whois/RDAP?

Whois is the long-standing way to look up who manages a domain — its registrar, key dates, status and nameservers. RDAP is its modern replacement: the same registration data served in a structured format directly by registries.

This tool uses RDAP, routing each lookup to the registry responsible for the domain's extension through the IANA directory — including Nominet for .uk domains.

What a lookup can show

  • Registrar managing the domain
  • Registration, update and expiry dates
  • Domain status codes (transfer locks, holds)
  • Nameservers currently delegated
Redaction

Why domain data may be hidden

Registration data is far more limited than it used to be. GDPR and similar privacy rules mean registries and registrars redact registrant names and contact details by default, and many owners also use privacy services.

Technical details — dates, status codes and nameservers — usually remain visible, and those are what most troubleshooting needs.

  • GDPR-driven redaction by registries and registrars
  • Registrant privacy and proxy services
  • Registry policies that publish different fields per extension
  • Some extensions offer no public RDAP at all
Practical uses

When is this tool useful?

Checking a domain's expiry date

Confirm when a domain renews — before a lapsed registration takes a website or email down.

Confirming delegated nameservers

See which nameservers the registry has on file, especially after a hosting or DNS move.

Verifying a domain is registered

Check whether a name is taken, when it was registered and who manages it.

Investigating an unfamiliar domain

A very recent registration date is a useful signal when reviewing a suspicious email or website.

Supporting domain transfers

Check status codes such as transfer locks before starting a move between registrars.

More tools

Related tools

Part of a growing set of free Education Host checks — with more on the way.

IP Address Checker

See the public IP address your browser is using to reach this website.

Check your IP address

DNS Checker

Check DNS records for a domain, from A and MX to TXT, CAA and PTR.

Check DNS records

Blacklist Checker

Check whether an IP address appears on common DNS-based email blacklists.

Check blacklist status

IP Lookup

Look up technical details for an IP address, including classification and reverse DNS.

Look up an IP address

DMARC Checker

Check whether a domain has a DMARC record and review the published policy.

Check a DMARC record

SSL Certificate Checker

Check SSL certificate issuer, expiry date and common HTTPS details for a domain.

Check SSL certificate
Browse all tools

Whois lookup — frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about Whois, RDAP and domain registration data.

What is a Whois lookup?
A Whois lookup retrieves the public registration information for a domain — registrar, key dates, status codes and nameservers — from the registry that manages the domain's extension.
What is RDAP?
RDAP is the modern, structured replacement for the old Whois protocol. This tool uses RDAP, routing each lookup to the responsible registry through the IANA directory.
Why is domain owner information hidden?
Registries and registrars redact registrant details under GDPR and privacy rules, and many owners use privacy services. Technical details such as dates, status codes and nameservers usually remain visible.
Can I check .uk domains?
Yes. .uk domains are covered through Nominet's RDAP service, alongside most common extensions listed in the IANA RDAP directory.
Can I look up an IP address here?
No — this tool checks domain names. For IP addresses, use the Education Host IP Lookup tool, which shows version, classification and reverse DNS.
Why are some Whois results incomplete?
Not every registry publishes every field over RDAP, some redact heavily, and a few extensions do not offer RDAP at all. The tool shows what the registry returns and says clearly when data is unavailable.
Does Education Host store Whois lookups?
This tool runs your lookup for the current request and does not store it in a database. Normal server and security logs may record requests like any other website.