Looking up…
Two ways in.
- A word: every extension its last letters spell, from two letters up (instagram gives instagr.am).
- An extension, typed with its dot (
.ly): common English words that end in it, most used first. All are looked up in DNS; those without a record go to the registry, up to 24 a search.
Before you buy one.
- Say it aloud: if people would type the plain word with .com, check who holds that too.
- Country extensions follow their country's rules: some want a local address, and prices and renewal terms vary more than for .com.
- The plain word as a .com, if it is free, is often the easier name to share.
Questions people ask.
What is a domain hack?
A domain where the extension finishes the word: instagr.am, kubernet.es, fami.ly. The dot sits inside the word, so the whole address reads as one.
Are domain hacks a good idea?
They are short and memorable for people who see them written. Said aloud they are harder: many will type the plain word with .com. Country extensions also set their own rules and prices.
Can anyone register a country extension?
Many, such as .ly, .io, .me and .es, are open to anyone. Others want a local link: .us a connection to the United States, .ca a Canadian presence, .eu a person or company in the EU or EEA. The registrar checks before you pay.
Why are some names marked probably free?
A few registries, such as those of .es and .it, offer no lookup Hivex can use. A name with no DNS record is very likely free there; the registrar's checkout confirms it.
Which extensions are included?
Every two-letter country code in IANA's root zone list, except the few no one can register, and the generic extensions open to the public, such as .app, .xyz and .online. Brand extensions and closed ones are left out.
Hivex index
Short names, still free to register.
Starting something new? Hivex keeps a live index of short, brandable .si names nobody has claimed yet, each checked with the registry.
From code, or an AI assistant.
Hivex's free JSON API and MCP server check domains, DNS and registration records from your own code or from AI assistants that speak MCP. No key needed.
More Domain tools
- Domain availability checkerIs a name free? Live from the registry, on any extension.
- Brand name checkerOne name: 8 domain extensions and 10 platforms.
- Username checkerA username on 10 developer and social platforms.
- Domain name generatorIdeas from your words, each one checked free.
- Typosquatting checkerLookalikes of a domain: registered, taking mail, or free.
- Domain history checkerArchive captures by month, and signs of past owners.
- Is this domain for sale?Marketplace, parking and for-sale signs, and how to buy.
- Transfer date calculatorWhen a domain can move registrars, and what blocks it.
- Punycode converterUnicode to xn-- and back, with lookalike warnings.
- Bulk domain checkerUp to 200 names at once, live, with a CSV.
- WHOIS lookupRegistrar, dates, status locks and name servers, from the registry.
- Domain age checkerExact age from the registration date, plus the last change and transfer.
- Domain expiration checkerExpiry date, days left, and what happens if it lapses.
- Registrar lookupThe registrar, its IANA ID and abuse contact, and the transfer lock.
- Name strength checkerScore a name, and see where its misspellings lead.
- Business name generatorNames for your business, each with a free .com.
- Short domain finder4 and 5 letter names you can still register.
- Dropped .si names.si names that just became free again.
- AI domain name generatorAI name ideas from a description, with a free .com.
- Domain value checkerWhat a name's value rests on, scored and explained.
- TLD lookupWho runs an extension, since when, and how.
- .si price comparisonWhat .si costs at each registrar, over the years.
- Domain prices by extensionFirst year, renewal and 5-year cost of any extension.
- Domain checkerIs a name free to register? Checked live on any extension.
Sources
- IANA: the list of top-level domains in the root zone
- ICANN: the gTLD list, with brand TLDs marked
- SCOWL: the English word lists behind Hivex's dictionary
By Hivex. Updated 11 October 2026. Ideas come from your word or from Hivex's list of 12,000 common English words; each is checked live in DNS and with its registry. Nothing is stored.