Domain prices vary based on market demand and availability. Prices are initially set by domain name registries, and registrars or third parties may add markups on top of that.
After reading this article you will be able to:
Copy article link
A domain name is a line of text that corresponds to an Internet protocol (IP) address. When typed into the address bar of a web browser, it connects users to websites. "Cloudflare.com," for instance, is the domain name for this website.
Domains, then, are essential to organizations that aim to reach and serve people online. The right domain name makes it easier for customers to find them. Individuals and businesses lease domains from domain registrars, and the domain prices vary wildly, based on factors ranging from the inherent value of the domain itself to the pricing practices of the registrar.
Domain prices range from a few dollars (US) per year to thousands or millions annually. At $12 million US, “Icon.com” was the most expensive domain to change hands in 2025, according to Domain Name Journal. Standard domains that do not spark competition, however, can be leased for as little as $10 or $12 US per year.
Some domains are more expensive because of their inherent value. But often, price variations stem from the business practices of traditional domain registrars. Some use opaque pricing structures that hide the cost of profit-boosting markups and add-ons that may not actually add value.
The top-level domain (TLD) — the short string of text at the end of a domain, after the last period — is one key factor for domain price. Long-tenured extensions like “.com,” “.org,” and “.net” tend to have stable prices, although they can be high because organizations may perceive that they lend credibility to a domain name.
Pricing for new or industry-specific extensions, such as “.io,” “.shop,” or “.xyz,” can be volatile. Extensions that reflect trends or make domains more easily identifiable may come at a higher price. Two of the top 12 domains in the Domain Name Journal list, for example, had “.bet” extensions, easy identifiers for gambling sites. Less legible extensions may be less costly, and registrars may offer first-year discounts to spur interest in newer extensions.
Differences between registration and renewal pricing also affect the cost of a domain name. It is common for registrars to court new customers with low first-year domain costs, then raise prices when it is time to renew. One way to avoid that increase is to renew early or negotiate to lock in first-year pricing with a multi-year contract.
Registrar markups also add to the price of domain names. Domain registry operators set wholesale prices for domains, and many registrars raise that price for customers. Those increases may range from 10% to more than 100%, and they cover the registrar’s expenses or create a profit for them.
Finally, premium and aftermarket domains tend to be among the most expensive domains available. Premium domains are those that a registry expects to sell for a higher price, usually because they are memorable or they include language that could be valuable for branding or search engine optimization (SEO) purposes. Aftermarket domains are domains resold on auction sites, forums, or other online sales platforms. Aftermarket prices tend to be high, since these are domains that generate enough demand for the current domain holder to put them up for sale.
Pricing transparency is rare among legacy domain registrars. Knowing the most common hidden costs can help buyers sort low-value upsells from useful add-ons.
Many traditional registrars advertise first-year prices as low as a few dollars, but renewals can be two, three, or even four times higher. This is especially common with newer generic top-level domains (gTLDs), such as ".biz," ".tech," or ".shop," where promotional pricing masks long-term costs. Because domains are recurring expenses, a small annual increase can add up quickly, particularly if you manage multiple domains or expect to hold a name for many years.
While transferring a domain between registrars is generally allowed, it is not always free. Some registrars charge transfer fees, while others make the process cumbersome or restrict transfers shortly after renewal. In most cases, a transfer adds an extra year of registration. That may be something a domain buyer wants, but it is still a cost that goes undisclosed up front. Transfer fees and friction can discourage switching even when better pricing or features are available elsewhere.
By default, domain registrations publish public contact information in the WHOIS database. WHOIS privacy services replace that data with proxy information, helping reduce spam and protect personal or business details. Some registrars include WHOIS privacy at no additional cost, but others charge an annual fee per domain. Over time, those fees can rival or exceed the cost of the domain itself, particularly for portfolios with dozens or hundreds of names.
While some registrars offer basic DNS hosting for free, advanced features — such as faster global resolution, traffic steering, or higher query limits — may cost extra. In some cases, authoritative DNS is treated as a separate product entirely. That leads to additional charges or forcing customers to accept complexity by using third-party providers to manage DNS resource records.
Legacy registrars regularly sell features like domain name security extensions (DNSSEC), email authentication, malware scanning, or advanced email security as paid upgrades. They may not all be necessary for every site, but they increasingly represent baseline expectations for professional or commercial domains. Paying for them individually can inflate the effective cost of ownership beyond the advertised price.
Not all premium domains are the same, and understanding the difference matters. Registry premium domains are names that the registry itself has designated as high value. They are often short, generic, or commercially attractive keywords. These domains typically have higher upfront prices and, importantly, higher recurring renewal fees. The premium status does not go away after the first year.
Aftermarket premium domains are different. They are already owned by someone else and resold through marketplaces or private transactions. The premium price is usually paid once, at purchase, after which the domain renews at standard rates. The value here often lies in branding, memorability, or existing traffic, rather than registry-imposed scarcity.
Premium domains are most cost-effective when the domain itself is a strategic asset. A strong, intuitive name can reduce marketing costs, improve credibility, and increase direct traffic. For companies building a long-term brand or competing in crowded markets, the right premium domain can pay for itself over time.
For many entities, a premium domain is not worth the expense. Early-stage startups, side projects, or internal tools may see little return on a high upfront or recurring domain cost. In many cases, a clear, well-chosen standard domain performs just as well.
With the right registrar, all these issues of cost, value, and transparency are more manageable. Clear, predictable pricing is the first thing to look for. Registrars that clearly disclose renewal prices and avoid promotional traps make it easier to budget and plan long term.
Look for other essential bundled services as well to save on costs associated with domains: DNS performance and uptime, for instance. Before loading a single image, script, or page, a browser must resolve your domain name to an IP address. A globally distributed DNS network with robust redundancy and a strong uptime record can improve performance.
Security is also key. DNSSEC, modern security defaults, and other essentials should come at no extra charge. You should be free to move your domain and change nameservers, too.
Finally, consider how the registrar integrates with your hosting, content delivery networks, email services, and security tools. A domain may be a small line item, but the right choices can make it a stable foundation rather than a source of friction.
Cloudflare Registrar offers transparent, at-cost pricing for standard and premium domains, up front and at renewal time.
Low-cost domains from Cloudflare come with integrated DNS, security, and performance tools backed by our global network. With less complexity and no hidden costs, Cloudflare Registrar customers can focus on building better online experiences, not managing complex infrastructure.
Search for a domain at domains.cloudflare.com.