Match the address to the product
A concise product or project name can make documentation, demos and support links easier to share. Say the whole address aloud and check that someone hearing it can spell both the name and the ending.
UK-based support · Since 2002
.io domain names
A short address for what you are building.
Give a software product, developer tool or digital service a compact address. A .io domain can work well for a technical audience, especially when the name is short enough to share in documentation, demos and conversation.
£52.95 /yr + VAT · £63.54 including VAT
One-year renewal: £52.95 + VAT (£63.54 including VAT). Compare registration terms ↓
Who can register?
Second-level .io domains can be registered by applicants in any legal jurisdiction, subject to registry policies. Accurate owner and administrative contact details are required. Our search supports 1–63 ASCII letters, numbers or hyphens before .io, starting and ending with a letter or number. Short, reserved or premium names may have different availability or pricing. Registry guidance (opens in a new tab)↗
Choose with confidence
Is .io right for your idea?
Think about the people using it
A technical audience may recognise .io quickly. For a wider consumer audience, compare it with a familiar ending or a descriptive option such as .tech or .software. The clearest choice depends on who needs to remember it.
Plan for the full service
Domain registration supplies the address, not the application infrastructure. Arrange hosting, HTTPS and any email service you need. The registry’s rules require two operating nameservers; our normal registration flow provides the default pair.
Know what you’ll pay
.io registration and renewal prices
Choose your registration term at order review. Prices below are the total upfront cost for a standard domain, not a monthly payment.
Annual renewal: £52.95 + VAT
£63.54 including VAT at today’s price.
Longer renewal terms may differ from registration offers. Review the renewal price before paying. Premium names are excluded from standard prices.
| Term | Total + VAT | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | £52.95 | £63.54 |
| 2 years | £105.90 | £127.08 |
| 3 years | £158.85 | £190.62 |
| 5 years | £264.75 | £317.70 |
| 10 years | £529.50 | £635.40 |
VAT shown at 20%. Prices checked 11 September 2026. Your order confirms the final price and availability.
About this extension
The story behind .io
- Domain family
- Country-code top-level domain
- Registry operator
- Internet Computer Bureau Limited
- Introduced
- 16 September 1997
Internet Computer Bureau Limited is listed by IANA as the ccTLD manager for .io. IANA: .io (opens in a new tab)
A country-code address with a technical audience
IANA’s .io record dates from 16 September 1997 and identifies it as a country-code top-level domain. Its country-code status remains distinct from the technology branding people may associate with the letters.
Background checked 11 September 2026 against the sources linked above.
More than an address
Start using your name your way.
Make a simple first page
Use the included single-page builder for an introduction and contact details. Add a fuller website when you need one.
Website options →Forward your email
Send incoming messages from domain addresses to an existing inbox. A mailbox for storing and sending email is a separate service.
How forwarding works →Connect your services
Manage DNS, nameservers and web forwarding. Use your domain with a compatible website or email provider.
DNS help →A little more detail
Questions about .io domains
Do I need to be based in the British Indian Ocean Territory?
No. The registry allows second-level registrations, such as a name directly before .io, from applicants in any legal jurisdiction. Separate third-level rules should not be confused with this.
Is .io a technology-only extension?
No. It is formally a country-code domain, rather than a restricted technology category. A technical use is a branding choice; registry acceptable-use rules still apply.
Which registration terms can I choose?
Standard registration and renewal terms are 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 years. Longer terms are paid upfront. Review the full charge and renewal price before ordering.
What happens after I find a domain?
Add one or more available names to your basket, then continue to registration. Enter the owner details and review the registration term and total before payment. Availability is provisional until the registrar confirms registration.
Will UKC charge me automatically at renewal?
No. UKC sends renewal reminders and an invoice. You need to pay the invoice to renew; UKC does not automatically charge you. Keep your contact details current so you receive reminders.
Compare your options
Another ending, a different emphasis.
Explore domain names and included services