How it works
Each TLD is run by a registry: Verisign runs .com, for example, and NIXI runs .in. Generic TLDs (gTLDs) such as .com, .net and .org, and newer ones such as .app, .dev and .shop, are open to anyone. Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) such as .in, .uk and .de belong to a country, and some come with residency or paperwork rules. A few country codes, such as .io and .ai, became popular with tech startups.
The registry sets the wholesale price, so prices vary widely: a .com costs about $11 a year at cost, a .ai around $80, and premium names hundreds or thousands. Some TLDs have quirks: browsers load .app and .dev sites only over HTTPS. Google treats most ccTLDs as a sign that a site targets that country, but handles popular ones such as .io and .ai as generic; for most businesses a .com or their local ccTLD is the safe choice.
Top-level domain (TLD) pricing
Paid
Set by each registry. Roughly: .com about $11 a year at cost, .in about ₹800, .io about $50 and .ai about $80, while premium names cost far more.
Top-level domain (TLD) pricing page (opens in a new tab)Approximate, checked September 2026.What the other tools cost
Related terms
More in How the web works
Names and addresses