Can I renew a domain after it expires?

Usually yes, at the normal price during the registrar's grace period, and for an extra restore fee during the 30-day redemption period that most generic domains have. After that it is deleted.

When can I register a domain someone let expire?

For most generic domains, up to about 80 days after the expiry date, once the grace, redemption and pending-delete periods are over. Many expired names are caught by backorder services the moment they drop.

Why does WHOIS show a later expiry date than the owner expects?

Registries often add a year automatically at expiry and take it back if the registrar does not renew. The date shown can run ahead of what the owner has paid for.

How to Check When a Domain Expires and What Happens Next

Find the expiry date

Enter a domain to see its expiry date, days left, registrar and status:

Look for the Expires date in the result. Dates are shown in UTC. Next to it you will see the registrar, which is where the domain is renewed, and the status codes.

Registries often add a year to the expiry date automatically when it passes, then take it back if the registrar doesn't pay. A date that suddenly jumps forward doesn't always mean the owner renewed.

Status codes worth knowing

Status	Meaning
`clientTransferProhibited`	Locked against transfer. Normal and recommended.
`autoRenewPeriod`	Just renewed automatically by the registry; the registrar can still undo it.
`redemptionPeriod`	Expired and deleted, but the owner can still restore it for a fee.
`pendingDelete`	Can't be restored. Will be released in a few days.

What happens after a domain expires

The usual timeline for generic domains (.com, .net, .org and most new extensions):

Day 0, expiry. The website and email usually keep working for a short time, but the registrar may switch the domain to a parking page within days.
Days 0 to about 45, grace period. The owner can renew at the normal price. The length varies by registrar, from none to 45 days.
Next 30 days, redemption period. The domain is deleted from the registrar's account but can be restored for a restore fee on top of the renewal. Prices vary widely.
Next 5 days, pending delete. Nobody can renew or restore it.
Release. The domain becomes available to register, up to about 80 days after expiry. Popular names are often taken within seconds by backorder services.

Country-code domains such as .uk, .de or .in follow their own registry's rules. Some have no redemption period at all. Check the registry's website for the extension you care about.

If it is your domain

Turn on auto-renew and keep the payment card current.
Keep the registrant email address working. ICANN requires registrars to send renewal reminders before and after expiry, but they only help if they reach you. Don't use an address on the domain itself, which stops working when the domain does.
Renew for several years for domains you depend on.
Watch email too. When a domain lapses, mail to it bounces and anyone who later registers it can receive your mail and reset accounts tied to those addresses.

If you want a domain someone else owns

Check its expiry date and status with the WHOIS lookup.
Most domains are renewed; expiry alone doesn't mean it will become free.
Once it reaches pending delete, a backorder with a drop-catching service gives you the best chance.
To see whether a name and its variants are free right now, use the domain availability checker.

Before you let one go

If you plan to drop a domain, first move email, logins and links elsewhere, and point any remaining DNS somewhere you control until the end. What is DNS explains how records and caching affect a move, and after setting up a replacement domain, protect it with SPF, DKIM and DMARC.

How to check when a domain expires and what happens next