What Are the Most Popular Domain Extensions In 2025?

When building a website, choosing the right domain extension is a small decision that can have a huge impact. The extension you pick shapes how people see your site and what they expect. Some extensions are popular simply because they feel familiar and trustworthy to visitors, especially when attached to a strong registered domain name. However, a few extensions are growing in popularity right now. This guide shows you what a domain extension is and why it matters. We’ll also explore the most popular domain extensions in 2025 and highlight new options becoming favorites for businesses, creators, and anyone starting something online.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A domain extension comes right after the main website name. It’s called the ‘second-level domain’.
• Choosing the right extension builds trust and makes your site easy to remember.
• .com is one of the most popular domain extensions in 2025.
• Country codes are good for local markets.
• New generic domain extensions are also rising in popularity.
• Having more choices today simplifies finding a domain that fits your brand.

Understanding Domain Name Extensions & Latest Trends

A domain name extension is the part of a web address that appears after the second-level domain. For example, when we look at the site hosted.com, the .com is the extension, also called a top-level domain (TLD). It can quickly tell people and search engines what a site is about.

It may hint at the type of organization behind it, such as a company, a charity, or a government agency. Some extensions also point to a specific location, such as .uk for the United Kingdom or .de for Germany. Others may suggest the language or community the site serves.

Dnib.com reported 368.4 million domain registrations across all top-level domains (TLDs) by the end of the first quarter of 2025. This marks a 4.2 million increase in registrations, or 1.1%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Year over year, domain registrations increased by 6.1 million, representing a steady 1.7% rise; this highlights that domain demand remains strong even as new digital trends emerge.

Several factors are fueling this growth, including increased internet usage, more businesses moving online, and the expanding variety of available domain extensions. Today, companies and individuals use domain names more creatively to show off their brands and ideas.

New trends are also reshaping the market. Industry-specific and location-based extensions are gaining popularity, and technologies like AI are beginning to shape how domains are used. These shifts are helping to transform the future of domain registrations. That is why it’s important to understand what domain extension you should choose in 2025 to turn your idea into a reality.

Which Domain Extensions Are There?

Domain extensions have been around since the early days of the Internet. At first, there were only a few options, including .com and .net. These early extensions helped people quickly understand if a site was a business, a non-profit organization, or a network service.

As more people and businesses moved online, country-specific extensions were introduced. These are called country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), such as .pk for Pakistan, .in for India, and .fr for France. They simplify establishing a strong connection to a country or local audience.

Today, there are even more choices. According to Dnib.com, by the end of the first quarter of 2025, total new Generic TLD (gTLD) domain registrations reached 37.8 million. This marked a 1.0 million increase in registrations, or 2.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Over the past years, gTLD registrations grew by 4.5 million, reflecting a 13.5% rise. The latest estimated combined renewal rate for ngTLDs stood at 34.2%.

These new and creative domain extensions include .app, .tech, and .store, giving businesses and creators more ways to stand out and better reflect their websites’ content.

With so many options available today, finding the perfect extension has never been easier. Whether you want something classic, country-based, or creative, there’s a domain extension that can help bring your online project to life.

So, let’s explore the most popular domain extensions that can give you better reach and help you grow your potential audience.

Top 10 Most Popular Domain Extensions

As of March 31, 2025, the top 10 TLDs based on the number of reported domain names were:

1. .com
2. .cn
3. .de
4. .net
5. .org
6. .uk
7. .ru
8. .nl
9. .br
10. .au

Among the TLDs with available data, the estimated quarterly renewal rates varied, with .org showing the highest at 81.4% and .ru recording the lowest at 68.3%.

Let’s look at the top 10 most popular domain extensions people choose in 2025.

1. .com: It’s the original domain extension made for commercial businesses. Over time, it became the go-to selection for almost any type of website. Today, it’s still the most trusted and recognized extension worldwide. People remember this extension easily, making it a smart choice for businesses and personal brands.
2. .cn: This is the country code domain for China. Many businesses and individuals inside and outside China use .cn to reach their target audience.
3. .de: It represents Germany. It’s one of the most registered country-specific domains in the world. It’s managed by DENIC and trusted by businesses and organizations looking to connect with the German-speaking market.
4. .net: Originally created for companies involved in network services, it has become a popular backup option when .com is unavailable. Managed by Verisign, it is well-known, reliable, and a solid choice for businesses and tech-focused websites.
5. .org: The extension was originally intended for non-profit organizations, but today it’s also used by businesses, communities, schools, and more. It has a strong reputation for trust and credibility, making it a top choice for groups that want to build confidence with their audience.
6. .uk: United Kingdom’s country code is widely used by businesses, charities, and individuals across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Managed by Nominet UK, it signifies a strong local presence in the UK.
7. .ru: Russia’s domain extension has a wide user base due to Russia’s large internet population. Businesses, media outlets, and personal websites all use .ru to connect with Russian-speaking users.
8. .nl: The country code for the Netherlands. Dutch businesses and individuals often choose this TLD to show a strong connection to their local market.
9. .br: Brazil’s country code domain. As more businesses and individuals in Brazil come online, the use of .br continues to rise. It shows strong local identity and is trusted by the Brazilian market.
10. .au: Represents Australia. With strong internet growth and trust in local businesses, it has become a favorite among Australian companies.

After these TLDs, .xyz and .online are the most common domain extensions.  The .xyz TLD is a newer extension that has gained attention through creative marketing, and its name is simple and flexible. Startups, tech companies, and even individuals use it to create modern and memorable websites without the limits of traditional extensions.

However, .online is one of the newer domain extensions making a big impact. It is popular among e-commerce stores, startups, and service-based businesses. Because it’s not tied to any industry or location, it offers a flexible choice for anyone building a website today.

10 Unusual Domain Extensions in 2025

Along with classic domain extensions, several new options are becoming widely used. These newer domains give businesses, creators, and brands fresh ways to stand out online. Let’s look at 10 rising domain extensions and why they are getting more attention.

• .shop: Perfect for online stores and businesses that sell products. It instantly tells visitors that your site is where they can make a purchase, making it a great fit for e-commerce websites.
• .app:  It’s designed mainly for mobile applications and tech projects. It’s trusted because it requires SSL certificates for all sites, making it a safe choice for developers and businesses promoting their apps.
• .tech: Popular among technology companies, startups, and innovators. It shows that a website is related to technology, helping brands stand out in the tech industry.
• .blog: A natural choice for writers, bloggers, and businesses sharing news and ideas. This makes it clear that the website is focused on content, updates, or personal stories.
• .ai: It has grown quickly, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence. Startups, research groups, and tech companies working with AI are using this extension to show they are part of the future of technology.
• .co: Started as the country code for Colombia but has become popular worldwide as a short, catchy alternative to .com. Many startups and small businesses choose .co for its clean and modern feel.
• .site: This is a flexible extension for any website. It doesn’t tie you to a specific industry, making it a good choice for personal sites, businesses, and portfolios.
• .store: Used by online shops and businesses selling products. It sends a strong signal that the site is made for online shopping, which attracts the right audience quickly.
• .dev: A top pick for developers, software companies, and tech-focused businesses. It requires HTTPS for all sites, adding an extra layer of security for users and owners.
• .fun: All about entertainment, events, and playful content. It’s perfect for brands, communities, or personal sites that want to show a light-hearted and engaging image.

You can register the most popular domain extensions as well as new ones that are growing rapidly. Find your ideal domain and register multiple extensions using our WHOIS Domain Search tool. You can also register domain names in bulk.

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