How much does a domain cost?

A standard .com domain costs roughly $8–$12 for the first year and $10–$16 to renew, depending on the registrar. Other extensions range from a couple of dollars to $70+ per year. You almost never need to pay a registrar's headline price, the same domain is often 30–60% cheaper elsewhere.

What you actually pay for

A domain has three cost moments: the first year (often a promo), the renewal (what you pay every year after, and usually higher), and optional extras. Reputable registrars now include WHOIS privacy free; avoid anyone charging for it. You do not need the hosting, email, or "website builder" bundles pushed at checkout.

Typical prices by extension

.com is the safe default and among the cheapest. Newer extensions like .xyz or .online often have very low first-year promos but higher renewals, so check the renewal before you commit. Tech extensions like .io and .ai are premium ($30–$90+/year). See live prices on our per-extension pages, for example .com, .io, .ai, .co.

How to pay the least

Three rules: (1) compare across registrars, prices for the identical domain vary a lot; (2) weigh the 3-year total, not the first-year sticker, because renewals dominate the real cost; (3) for something you'll keep for years, an at-cost registrar like Cloudflare (first year = renewal) usually beats a cheap promo that renews high.

Premium and aftermarket names

Standard names cost the registry's flat rate. A minority are premium (priced higher by the registry) or already owned and resold on the aftermarket for much more. If a price looks unusually high for a common word, it is likely premium or aftermarket.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest domain extension?

Among mainstream options, .com is cheap and safe. Some new extensions (.xyz, .online, .site) have lower first-year promos but higher renewals, so compare the 3-year total.

Is it cheaper to buy a domain for multiple years?

Not usually per-year, each year is charged at the standard rate. The bigger saving is choosing a cheaper registrar and avoiding paid extras like WHOIS privacy.

Do I have to pay every year?

Yes, domains are rented annually (or for several years up front). If you stop paying, the domain expires and someone else can register it.