.io Domain Search
Check .io domain availability and search for available .io domain names. Discover why .io is popular with startups, developers, and tech companies.
Country
British Indian Ocean Territory
Pricing
35 to 60 USD per year
Registrations
More than 1.5 million
Growth
Consistent growth within the tech sector
Why Choose .io?
Strong association with technology and innovation
Short and memorable domain structure
Recognized globally by developers and startups
Treated as a generic domain by Google
Trusted by major platforms and communities
History
The .io domain was introduced in 1997 as the country code top level domain for the British Indian Ocean Territory. It quickly gained popularity in the technology sector due to its association with input and output terminology. One of the earliest known registrations was levi.io in 1998. Over time, the domain became widely used by developers and startups. In 2017, Afilias acquired the Internet Computer Bureau, the original registry operator. The domain later became part of Donuts Inc and is now managed by Identity Digital.
Usage & Applications
The .io domain has evolved from a geographic extension into a strong brand signal for modern technology companies. It is commonly used by software platforms, developer tools, APIs, blockchain projects, and online games. In gaming, .io became especially popular after the success of browser based multiplayer titles, creating an entire genre known as io games.
Popular .io Domains
github.io
Used for GitHub Pages and developer hosted websites.
readthedocs.io
A leading platform for open source documentation.
etherscan.io
A widely used blockchain explorer for Ethereum.
opensea.io
A major marketplace for digital assets and NFTs.
itch.io
A popular platform for independent game developers.
agar.io
The game that popularized the io gaming trend.
Most Expensive .io Domain Sales
mint.io
2021One of the highest publicly reported io domain sales.
230,000 USD
fluid.io
2024High value sale in the AI and SaaS space.
199,995 USD
metaverse.io
2021Sold during strong interest in virtual worlds.
175,000 USD
hero.io
2023Short and brand focused keyword domain.
125,000 USD
ledger.io
2021Aligned with blockchain and finance branding.
120,000 USD
First Registered .io Domain
levi.io
1998
One of the earliest known .io domain registrations by Levi Strauss and Company.
Registration Info
Requirements
Open to anyone worldwide with no restrictions
Registry
Internet Computer Bureau Ltd under Identity Digital
Key Milestones
Frequently Asked Questions
1How can I check .io domain availability
Use our free .io domain search tool to instantly check whether a domain name is available for registration.
2Is the .io domain search free
Yes. You can search for available .io domain names without any cost or sign up.
3How accurate is .io domain availability data
Availability results are based on current registry data and are updated regularly.
4Can I search multiple .io domains at once
Yes. You can check multiple domain names in a single search.
5Why do startups prefer .io domains
.io is closely associated with technology and software, making it appealing to startups and developers.
6How much does a .io domain cost
Most .io domains are priced between 35 and 60 USD per year depending on the registrar.
7Does Google treat .io as a generic domain
Yes. Google treats .io as a generic top level domain, allowing it to rank globally.
8Can anyone register a .io domain
.io domains are open to individuals and businesses worldwide.
9Is .io safe for long term business use
Yes. Many established platforms rely on .io domains for their main websites.
10Why are .io domains popular for games
The success of early multiplayer browser games made .io a recognizable gaming domain.