.dev domain names
For developer tooling and documentation, HTTPS enforced.
Quick answer
.dev is a Google-operated extension aimed at developers, developer tools and technical documentation, and like .app it is HSTS-preloaded so HTTPS is mandatory for every domain under it. It reads as unambiguously technical, which is an advantage or a limitation depending on the audience.
Check a .dev nameWhat .dev actually signals
- Operated by Google Registry and HSTS-preloaded at the extension level, so browsers will not load a .dev site over plain HTTP.
- Widely used for documentation sites, developer portals and personal engineering sites.
- Note that .dev was in informal local-development use before it became a public extension, so some legacy tooling and internal DNS still assumes it resolves locally.
Registration requirements for .dev
Read from the registry data behind our own registration flow, so these are the rules your registration will actually be checked against — not a general description of the extension.
| Requirement | .dev |
|---|---|
| Registration term | 1 to 10 years |
| Organization details | Not required — individuals can register |
| Registrant country | No country restriction |
| Nameservers | Optional at registration (up to 13) |
| Internationalised names (IDN) | Supported |
| Transfers | Require an authorization code from the losing registrar |
Registry data last synchronised 2026-08-20 · source: Google
Who .dev suits
A good fit for
- Developer portals, API references and documentation
- Open-source projects and engineering blogs
- Internal tooling exposed to a technical audience
.dev domains on the marketplace now
Premium .dev names currently listed on Name.ai. Availability changes constantly; this list refreshes hourly.
Browse all .dev domainsFrequently asked questions about .dev
Yes. .dev is on the HSTS preload list at the extension level, so a valid TLS certificate is required for the site to load in a browser at all.
It is a public extension now, so pointing local development at .dev can collide with real DNS and the enforced HTTPS. Reserved names such as .localhost or .test are the safer choice for local use.