Domain name checker: complete guide for 2026

Before you launch a website, set up a mailbox or give your game server a readable address, you need a domain name. The first thing you do is check whether the name you want is still available. In this guide you will learn how that works, which extensions exist, what a domain costs and how to link it to your hosting or game server.

What exactly is a domain name?

A domain name is a human-readable address that points to an IP address. Computers communicate using IP addresses like 185.228.81.34, but those are hard to remember. A domain name like hostvalues.net translates that numeric address into something people can read and type.

Every domain name consists of two parts:

• The label: the part you choose yourself, for example "myserver" or "pizzapalace".
• The extension (TLD): the suffix, such as .com, .net or .eu.

Together they form the complete domain, for example myserver.com. You can also create subdomains, such as mc.myserver.com for your Minecraft server or shop.myserver.com for a web store.

Checking a domain name: how does it work?

Checking a domain means verifying whether the name you want has not already been registered by someone else. Each extension has a registry that tracks which names are taken. For .com that is Verisign, for .nl it is SIDN. A domain checker queries that registry automatically.

Here is how to check a domain name:

1. Go to a domain checker. The HostValues domain checker shows availability for multiple extensions at once.
2. Type the desired name. Enter just the label (without extension), for example "myproject".
3. Review the results. The checker shows per extension whether the domain is available, taken or reserved. For some extensions you will also see the price right away.

You can also check manually with a WHOIS tool (see below), but a domain checker is faster and clearer for everyday use.

Which extensions (TLDs) exist?

In 2026 there are more than 1,500 extensions available. The main categories:

Country-code extensions (ccTLDs)

Each country code refers to a country or region. The most common ones:

• .com: the most popular extension worldwide.
• .nl: Netherlands. Managed by SIDN. Very reliable and recognizable for a Dutch audience.
• .de: Germany. The most popular ccTLD in the world by registrations.
• .eu: European Union. Suitable when you want to reach a European audience.

Generic extensions (gTLDs)

• .com: the most recognizable extension worldwide. Suitable for virtually any purpose.
• .net: originally intended for networks, now used broadly.
• .org: intended for organizations, but not limited to non-profits.
• .info: informational websites.

New generic extensions (new gTLDs)

Since 2014, hundreds of new extensions have been added. Some examples:

• .online, .site, .website: for websites in general.
• .tech, .dev, .io: popular with developers and tech companies.
• .shop, .store: for web stores.
• .game, .gg: popular in the gaming community.

Watch out: some new extensions are cheap in the first year but become significantly more expensive afterward. Always check the renewal price before you register.

What does a domain name cost?

The price depends on the extension and the registrar (the company where you register). Approximate prices for 2026:

Premium domain names (short, generic words) can cost hundreds to thousands of euros. Those are names that were previously registered and are now for sale on marketplaces.

WHOIS: who owns a domain?

WHOIS is a protocol that lets you look up public registration data for a domain. You can see:

• Whether a domain is registered and by whom (unless privacy protection is active).
• When the domain was registered and when it expires.
• Which nameservers are set.
• Who the registrar is.

WHOIS information can be queried via the command line (whois mydomain.com on Linux/macOS) or via online tools. Since the introduction of GDPR in 2018, personal contact details are hidden by default for many extensions.

How does DNS work?

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phone book of the internet. It translates domain names into IP addresses so browsers and applications know where to connect. The process works in steps:

1. You type hostvalues.net in your browser.
2. Your computer asks a DNS resolver (usually from your internet provider or a public resolver like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8): "which IP belongs to this domain?"
3. The resolver follows a chain of servers: the root server points to the .net servers, which point to the domain's nameservers.
4. The domain's nameserver responds with the IP address.
5. The browser connects to that IP address and loads the website.

This entire process normally takes less than 100 milliseconds. The result is temporarily cached so the next visit is even faster.

The most important DNS record types:

Linking a domain to your web hosting

After registration you need to link the domain to your hosting. There are two ways:

1. Change nameservers. You point the domain's nameservers to those of your hosting provider. All DNS records are then managed through the hosting. This is the most common method.
2. Set DNS records manually. You leave the nameservers with the registrar and create A records (and optionally AAAA, CNAME and MX) yourself pointing to the IP address of your hosting. This gives more control but requires a bit more work.

At HostValues you can register domain names and link them directly to your hosting. The nameservers are set automatically, so you do not need to configure anything yourself.

Linking a domain to your game server

A game server does not have a web page, but you can still set up a readable address. Instead of having your players remember the IP address and port number, you create a subdomain that points to it.

Method 1: A record (if the server runs on the default port)

If your Minecraft server runs on port 25565 (the default), an A record is sufficient:

1. Go to the DNS settings for your domain.
2. Create an A record: name mc, value the IP address of your server.
3. Players now connect with mc.yourdomain.com.

Method 2: SRV record (if the server runs on a different port)

If your server runs on a non-standard port, you need an SRV record:

1. First create an A record: name mc, value the IP address.
2. Then create an SRV record:
   • Service: _minecraft
   • Protocol: _tcp
   • Name: mc.yourdomain.com
   • Priority: 0
   • Weight: 5
   • Port: the port number of your server (for example 25577)
   • Target: mc.yourdomain.com
3. Players type mc.yourdomain.com and are automatically routed to the correct port.

This also works for other games that support SRV records. FiveM servers typically use a direct connection via IP and port; an A record with the port in the server configuration is the standard approach there.

Common mistakes when checking and registering

• Only checking .com. Always check multiple extensions. Your name may be taken as .com but available as .net or .eu.
• Not checking the renewal price. Some extensions lure you with a low introductory price but cost three or four times as much upon renewal.
• Registering with an unknown party. Choose an established registrar. Verify that you can always request the EPP code (authorization code) to transfer the domain later.
• Not enabling WHOIS privacy. For extensions where this is available, it protects your personal details from spam and unwanted contact.
• Not waiting for DNS changes. After a change it can take up to 24 hours for the new settings to propagate everywhere. In practice it is usually done within an hour, but allow for delays.
• Letting the domain expire. Enable automatic renewal. An expired domain can be registered by someone else, and getting it back is expensive or impossible.

Tips for choosing a good domain name

• Short and concise. The shorter the name, the easier it is to remember and type.
• No hyphens or numbers. Hyphens and numbers make a domain name harder to communicate in conversation.
• Easy to spell. Avoid words that are often misspelled or have multiple spellings.
• Matching the purpose. A gaming community chooses a different name than a business website. Think about your target audience.
• Register multiple extensions. If you run a business, register both the country-specific extension and .com to prevent competitors or domain traders from claiming them.

How long until a new domain starts working?

After registration the domain is usually active in the registry within a few minutes. That does not mean it is reachable everywhere immediately. DNS changes need to propagate: the new records are distributed across DNS resolvers worldwide. In practice this usually takes less than an hour, but it can take up to 24 hours before every resolver has the latest information. During that period, some visitors may already be able to reach your website or server while others cannot.

You can check the propagation status with online tools like whatsmydns.net, which shows per country and per resolver whether the new record has propagated.

Can I transfer a domain to a different registrar later?

Yes. A domain transfer is always possible. You request an authorization code (EPP code) from your current registrar and enter it at the new registrar. The transfer usually takes one to five days, depending on the extension. During the transfer the domain remains reachable. Note: some extensions have a lock period after registration (often 60 days) during which you cannot transfer the domain.

Summary

Checking a domain name is the first step toward your online presence. Use a domain checker to verify availability, choose an extension that matches your purpose, register with a reliable party and link the domain to your hosting or game server using the right DNS records. Watch the renewal price and enable automatic renewal to make sure you do not lose your domain.

Want to get started right away? Check your desired domain name via the HostValues domain checker and register in just a few clicks. Need help linking it to your hosting or game server? Our support team is available daily.