A domain name is the human-readable name, such as icann.org, that DNS uses to help locate internet resources. It is not the resource itself, nor is it the same as an IP address or a full web address (URL).
What a domain name does
People can remember a name like icann.org more easily than a numeric IP address. When a browser or another application needs to reach a resource, it can ask the Domain Name System (DNS) for information associated with the domain name. For web access, that information often includes an IP address that helps the application find the relevant server.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNS is the lookup system; the domain name is the name being looked up. An IP address is one kind of information a lookup may return. These terms describe different parts of how an application finds an internet resource.
For an overview of the system, see ICANN’s explanation of the Domain Name System. The terminology reference is the IETF’s RFC 8499, DNS Terminology.
#1 Best Overall
How domain names are structured
A domain name is made of labels separated by dots. In whois.icann.org, org is the top-level domain, icann is the second-level name, and whois is a subordinate label. Read from right to left, each label to the left sits beneath the label immediately to its right in the DNS hierarchy.
That hierarchy lets names identify different parts of a domain’s namespace. For example, whois.icann.org is a more specific name beneath icann.org.
ICANN explains the structure and use of domain names in its About Domain Names guide.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsDomain name, IP address, URL, and website: the difference
- Domain name: A readable name used in DNS, such as
icann.org. - IP address: A numerical address associated with an internet resource. DNS can provide IP address information to help an application connect.
- URL: A complete address for a particular online resource. It can include a domain name along with other parts, such as a protocol, path, or query.
- Website: The pages and other content delivered to visitors. A domain name may be used to reach a website, but it is not the website itself.
A domain name can be part of a URL, but the two are not interchangeable: the domain identifies a name in DNS, while a URL can specify how and where to access a particular resource.
Rank #3
Does registering a domain name create a website?
No. Registering a domain creates a named realm in DNS; it does not automatically provide a website or hosting. To make a site accessible, its owner needs a website or hosting service and must configure the domain to point to the relevant service. Email also requires a separate email service or implementation and appropriate setup.
In short, registration secures use of the name under the registrar’s terms, while hosting or other services provide the content and functionality people access through it.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
