What happens when a domain expires

Most founders think a domain either exists or it doesn't. In reality, a domain going through expiry passes through several distinct stages, each with different rules. Understanding the lifecycle is useful whether you're watching a domain you want to grab, or making sure you don't accidentally lose your own.

Stage 1: Expiry

When a domain's registration lapses, it enters an active expiry state. For most registrars, the domain will continue to resolve for a short period (hours to days) depending on DNS TTL and registrar policy. The owner can still renew at this point, usually at normal renewal cost.

Stage 2: Grace period (approximately 0–30 days)

For most gTLDs (.com, .net, .org etc.), there's a grace period of around 30 days after expiry during which the original registrant can renew at standard cost. The domain typically stops resolving within this window. Third parties cannot register it yet.

Stage 3: Redemption period (approximately 30–60 days)

After the grace period, the domain enters redemption. The registrant can still reclaim it, but at a much higher fee (often £100–300+). The domain is effectively held in limbo. Third parties still cannot register it directly.

Stage 4: Pending delete (approximately 60–75 days)

The registrar releases the domain to the registry, which places it in pending-delete status for five days. No one can register it during these five days — it's in a queue to be purged from the registry database entirely.

Stage 5: Drop / available for registration

After the five pending-delete days, the domain drops and becomes available. High-value domains are often captured by drop-catching services within milliseconds of becoming available. These services run automated systems that compete to register the domain the instant it drops. If you want a dropping domain that others want too, you'll likely need to use a drop-catching service rather than trying to register it manually.

ccTLDs have different rules

.co.uk and other country-code TLDs have their own expiry policies, often with shorter periods and different renewal mechanics. Check the rules for your specific TLD if precision matters.