A TLD (top-level domain) is the final segment of a domain name — the .com in example.com. This site turns the world of domain extensions into clear, source-backed guides: what they are, how they differ, and how to choose and register the right one.
Reading a domain right to left goes from most general to most specific. The TLD sits at the top of the hierarchy — everything else is registered underneath it.
A top-level domain (TLD) is the highest level in the Domain Name System hierarchy and the last part of any web address, appearing after the final dot. There are more than 1,500 TLDs in the official IANA root zone, split mainly into generic TLDs (gTLDs) such as .com, .org and .shop, and country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) such as .us, .uk and .de. The full list is coordinated by IANA on behalf of ICANN, the non-profit that oversees the domain name system.
Last updated · Sources: IANA Root Zone Database, ICANN, registry operators
Eight foundational guides that answer the questions almost everyone asks about domain extensions. Read them in order, or jump to what you need.
The definition, where the TLD sits in a web address, and the difference between TLDs, domains and subdomains.
Read the basics → vsGeneric versus country-code extensions: what each one signals, who can register, and when to use which.
Compare the two → ✓A practical decision framework: brand fit, trust, geotargeting, price and the traps to avoid.
Make the right call → ★Step by step: registrars vs registries, checking availability, pricing, renewals and WHOIS privacy.
Register the right way → SEOWhat Google has actually said about new gTLDs, geotargeting with ccTLDs, and the indirect trust signals that matter.
See the evidence → newHow the 2012 ICANN program added hundreds of extensions like .app, .shop and .blog — and what comes next.
From the root zone down to your domain: how name resolution works and where TLD name servers fit in.
See how DNS resolves → 🌐How ccTLDs map to ISO country codes, "domain hacks" like .io and .co, and local registration rules.
Every TLD belongs to one of a handful of categories defined by IANA. Knowing the category tells you who runs it and what rules apply.
| Category | What it is | Examples | Approx. count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic (gTLD) | Open or themed extensions, often global. Includes legacy and new gTLDs. | .com .org .net .shop | ~1,200 |
| Country-code (ccTLD) | Two letters tied to a country or territory (ISO 3166-1). | .us .uk .de .jp | ~300 |
| Sponsored (sTLD) | Run for a defined community with eligibility rules. | .edu .gov .museum | ~14 |
| Generic-restricted | Generic but with registration restrictions. | .biz .name .pro | 3 |
| Infrastructure | Reserved for technical Internet infrastructure. | .arpa | 1 |
| IDN ccTLD | Country-code domains in non-Latin scripts. | .рф .中国 | ~60 |
Who decides what TLDs exist?
ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) sets policy, and its IANA function maintains the authoritative root zone — the master list every other DNS server ultimately trusts. No single company "owns" the TLD system.
.com) dominate real-world use.A TLD is the ending of a web address — the part after the final dot, like .com, .org or .uk. It tells the Domain Name System which "neighborhood" of the Internet your domain lives in.
The domain is the whole name you register, such as example.com. The TLD is only the last segment of that name (.com). The part you choose — example — is the second-level domain.
More than 1,500 TLDs are delegated in the IANA root zone: roughly 1,200 generic TLDs and around 300 country-code TLDs, plus a small number of sponsored, infrastructure and internationalized extensions.
.com better than other extensions?.com is the most recognized and trusted extension worldwide, which makes it the safe default for global brands. But a focused ccTLD (for one country) or a fitting new gTLD (like .io for tech or .store for retail) can be a smart choice — see our guide to choosing an extension.
Not directly. Google treats new gTLDs the same as .com for ranking. The real effects are geotargeting (ccTLDs signal a country) and user trust, which can influence click-through. Read the full breakdown in do TLDs affect SEO?
Start with the fundamentals, then work toward choosing and registering the perfect domain.
Read: What is a TLD? →