What Is a TLD (Top-Level Domain)? Types and How to Choose

Applies to: domain names (.com, .net, .org, country domains and new extensions)

The TLD (top-level domain) is the last part of a domain name, after the final dot: .com in example.com, .in in example.in. It is also called the domain extension. The official list is kept by IANA and had 1,438 TLDs when we checked it on 29 September 2026.

The main types

• Generic TLDs (gTLDs): open to anyone, such as .com, .net, .org and .info.
• Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs): two letters for a country or territory, such as .in, .uk, .de or .ae. Some are restricted to residents or local businesses.
• New gTLDs: added since 2013, such as .shop, .online, .tech, .app or .xyz.
• Sponsored and restricted TLDs: for specific groups, such as .gov and .edu.

Parts of a domain

In shop.example.co.uk: .uk is the TLD, .co.uk is a second-level domain run by the .uk registry, example is the name you register, and shop is a subdomain you create yourself.

How to choose

• .com is the safest choice for a business worldwide; people type it by habit.
• A country domain (such as .in or .co.uk) signals a local business and can help in local search results.
• A new TLD can give you a shorter or more descriptive name, but check the renewal price, not just the first-year offer.
• Consider registering the same name in .com and your country domain to protect your brand.

Search and register domains at Ucartz: domain search. Moving a domain here: how long a domain transfer takes.