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Every country with a recognized internet presence has its own two-letter domain extension, known as a country code top-level domain or ccTLD. Below you'll find a complete list of country domains organized by region, along with everything you need to know about domain registration rules and how to pick the right country code extension for your site.
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Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are two-letter suffixes assigned to specific countries and territories. There are over 250 active ccTLDs globally, each governed by that country's registry. Here's the complete list organized by region, plus tips on how to register one.
You'll learn:
What is a country domain?
A country domain, officially called a country code top-level domain, or ccTLD, is a two-letter internet suffix assigned to a specific country or territory. The system was formalized in the early 1980s when IANA (the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) began delegating extensions based on ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 codes, the same two-letter country abbreviations used on international sports scoreboards and passport stamps.
Each ccTLD is managed by a designated national registry. Germany's .de, for example, is run by DENIC eG. The United Kingdom's .uk is managed by Nominet. Japan's .jp is overseen by JPRS. These registries set the rules for who can register, what documentation is required and what the annual fee looks like, which is why registration requirements vary considerably from one extension to another.
The key distinction between a ccTLD and a generic top-level domain (gTLD) is intent. gTLDs like .com, .net and .org were designed for global use with no geographic restriction. ccTLDs, by contrast, were designed to signal a connection to a specific place, though in practice, many have taken on entirely different meanings. To understand the full landscape, see our guide to types of domains.
Learn more:
Not all ccTLDs represent current countries
Not every ccTLD maps neatly to a modern independent country. Some represent former states, territories or regional organizations, while others have taken on meanings beyond their original purpose.
.su is a legacy ccTLD originally assigned to the Soviet Union. Although the USSR dissolved in 1991, the extension remains active and continues to have registered domains today.
.eu represents the European Union rather than an individual country. It is used by eligible individuals, businesses and organizations connected to EU member states.
.ac belongs to Ascension Island, a remote British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic. Despite its geographic origin, it is also popular internationally because of its association with academic websites.
.uk is the widely recognized domain extension for the United Kingdom, even though
.gb is the ISO country code for Great Britain. While .gb was reserved and technically exists, .uk became the standard choice for UK-based websites.
IANA accommodates these exceptions for historical and practical reasons.
The complete list of country domains
There are currently 308 delegated ccTLDs across the globe, one for nearly every recognized country and territory. The tables below organize them by region. IANA occasionally adds, removes or updates entries as geopolitical circumstances change.
Worth knowing: Some entries in the tables below are territories, dependencies or special administrative zones rather than fully sovereign nations. .gg (Guernsey), .je (Jersey), .fo (Faroe Islands) and .aq (Antarctica) follow the same ccTLD structure and are governed by IANA, but their local registries and registration rules operate differently from those of independent nation-states.
Europe ccTLDs
Country/Territory | ccTLD |
Albania | .al |
Andorra | .ad |
Austria | .at |
Belarus | .by |
Belgium | .be |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | .ba |
Bulgaria | .bg |
Croatia | .hr |
Cyprus | .cy |
Czech Republic | .cz |
Denmark | .dk |
Estonia | .ee |
Faroe Islands | .fo |
Finland | .fi |
France | .fr |
Georgia | .ge |
Germany | .de |
Gibraltar | .gi |
Greece | .gr |
Guernsey | .gg |
Hungary | .hu |
Iceland | .is |
Ireland | .ie |
Isle of Man | .im |
Italy | .it |
Jersey | .je |
Kosovo | .xk |
Latvia | .lv |
Liechtenstein | .li |
Lithuania | .lt |
Luxembourg | .lu |
Malta | .mt |
Moldova | .md |
Monaco | .mc |
Montenegro | .me |
Netherlands | .nl |
North Macedonia | .mk |
Norway | .no |
Poland | .pl |
Portugal | .pt |
Romania | .ro |
Russia | .ru |
San Marino | .sm |
Serbia | .rs |
Slovakia | .sk |
Slovenia | .si |
Spain | .es |
Sweden | .se |
Switzerland | .ch |
Turkey | .tr |
Ukraine | .ua |
United Kingdom | .uk |
Vatican City | .va |
Americas country code domain extensions
Country/Territory | ccTLD |
Anguilla | .ai |
Antigua and Barbuda | .ag |
Argentina | .ar |
Aruba | .aw |
Bahamas | .bs |
Barbados | .bb |
Belize | .bz |
Bermuda | .bm |
Bolivia | .bo |
Brazil | .br |
British Virgin Islands | .vg |
Canada | .ca |
Caribbean Netherlands | .bq |
Cayman Islands | .ky |
Chile | .cl |
Colombia | .co |
Costa Rica | .cr |
Cuba | .cu |
Curacao | .cw |
Dominica | .dm |
Dominican Republic | .do |
Ecuador | .ec |
El Salvador | .sv |
Falkland Islands | .fk |
Grenada | .gd |
Guatemala | .gt |
Guyana | .gy |
Haiti | .ht |
Honduras | .hn |
Jamaica | .jm |
Martinique | .mq |
Mexico | .mx |
Montserrat | .ms |
Nicaragua | .ni |
Panama | .pa |
Paraguay | .py |
Peru | .pe |
Puerto Rico | .pr |
Sint Maarten | .sx |
St. Kitts and Nevis | .kn |
St. Lucia | .lc |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines | .vc |
Suriname | .sr |
Trinidad and Tobago | .tt |
Turks and Caicos Islands | .tc |
United States | .us |
Uruguay | .uy |
US Virgin Islands | .vi |
Venezuela | .ve |
One to know: .lat is a domain extension that looks like a country code but is not one, so it covers Latin America as a region without the local presence rules a ccTLD can carry.
Asia-Pacific country-specific domain extensions
Country/Territory | ccTLD |
Afghanistan | .af |
Armenia | .am |
Australia | .au |
Azerbaijan | .az |
Bangladesh | .bd |
Bhutan | .bt |
Brunei | .bn |
Cambodia | .kh |
China | .cn |
Christmas Island | .cx |
Cocos Islands | .cc |
Cook Islands | .ck |
Fiji | .fj |
French Polynesia | .pf |
Guam | .gu |
Hong Kong | .hk |
India | .in |
Indonesia | .id |
Iran | .ir |
Iraq | .iq |
Japan | .jp |
Jordan | .jo |
Kazakhstan | .kz |
Kiribati | .ki |
Kyrgyzstan | .kg |
Laos | .la |
Lebanon | .lb |
Macau | .mo |
Malaysia | .my |
Maldives | .mv |
Marshall Islands | .mh |
Micronesia | .fm |
Mongolia | .mn |
Myanmar | .mm |
Nauru | .nr |
Nepal | .np |
New Caledonia | .nc |
New Zealand | .nz |
North Korea | .kp |
Northern Mariana Islands | .mp |
Pakistan | .pk |
Palau | .pw |
Papua New Guinea | .pg |
Philippines | .ph |
Samoa | .ws |
Singapore | .sg |
Solomon Islands | .sb |
South Korea | .kr |
Sri Lanka | .lk |
Taiwan | .tw |
Tajikistan | .tj |
Thailand | .th |
Timor-Leste | .tl |
Tokelau | .tk |
Tonga | .to |
Turkmenistan | .tm |
Tuvalu | .tv |
Uzbekistan | .uz |
Vanuatu | .vu |
Vietnam | .vn |
Africa and the Middle East ccTLDs
Country/Territory | ccTLD |
Algeria | .dz |
Angola | .ao |
Bahrain | .bh |
Benin | .bj |
Botswana | .bw |
Burkina Faso | .bf |
Burundi | .bi |
Cameroon | .cm |
Cape Verde | .cv |
Central African Republic | .cf |
Chad | .td |
Comoros | .km |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | .cd |
Djibouti | .dj |
Egypt | .eg |
Equatorial Guinea | .gq |
Eritrea | .er |
Eswatini | .sz |
Ethiopia | .et |
Gabon | .ga |
Gambia | .gm |
Ghana | .gh |
Guinea | .gn |
Guinea-Bissau | .gw |
Israel | .il |
Ivory Coast | .ci |
Kenya | .ke |
Kuwait | .kw |
Lesotho | .ls |
Liberia | .lr |
Libya | .ly |
Madagascar | .mg |
Malawi | .mw |
Mali | .ml |
Mauritania | .mr |
Mauritius | .mu |
Mayotte | .yt |
Morocco | .ma |
Mozambique | .mz |
Namibia | .na |
Niger | .ne |
Nigeria | .ng |
Oman | .om |
Palestinian Territories | .ps |
Qatar | .qa |
Republic of the Congo | .cg |
Reunion | .re |
Rwanda | .rw |
Saudi Arabia | .sa |
Senegal | .sn |
Seychelles | .sc |
Sierra Leone | .sl |
Somalia | .so |
South Africa | .za |
South Sudan | .ss |
Sudan | .sd |
Syria | .sy |
Tanzania | .tz |
Togo | .tg |
Tunisia | .tn |
Uganda | .ug |
United Arab Emirates | .ae |
Western Sahara | .eh |
Yemen | .ye |
Zambia | .zm |
Zimbabwe | .zw |
Territories and special-use ccTLDs
A handful of country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) have grown far beyond their original geographic purpose. Although these domain extensions are officially assigned to specific countries or territories, many have become popular worldwide because they are short, memorable or naturally fit certain words and industries.
Some of the best-known examples include .io (British Indian Ocean Territory), which is widely used by technology companies and startups, .ai (Anguilla), which has become closely associated with artificial intelligence businesses, .tv (Tuvalu), a favorite for video creators and streaming platforms, and .me (Montenegro), which is often used for personal brands and portfolios.
These extensions are available to anyone in many cases, though registration rules and pricing vary by registry. While they remain official country code domains managed by their respective registries, their global popularity has turned them into powerful branding options that often compete with traditional generic top-level domains (gTLDs).
Territory | ccTLD | Common use |
British Indian Ocean Territory | .io | Tech startups and software products |
Anguilla | .ai | Artificial intelligence companies |
Colombia | .co | Company shorthand; startups |
Tuvalu | .tv | Streaming, media and video platforms |
Montenegro | .me | Personal sites and apps |
Micronesia | .fm | Radio, podcasts and music platforms |
Guernsey | .gg | Gaming and esports communities |
Ascension Island | .ac | Academic institutions |
St. Helena | .sh | Developer tools and shell scripts |
Cocos Islands | .cc | General brandable use |
Tokelau | .tk | Historically used for free domains |
The most popular country domain extensions
Not all ccTLDs are equal in terms of registration volume. The extensions backed by large, internet-active populations tend to dominate, but brand recognition and registry policies also play a significant role. For a broader look at which extensions are gaining ground, see our guide to popular domain extensions.
Top ccTLDs by active domain registrations
The following rankings are based on active domain registrations reported in the Verisign Domain Name Industry Brief (Q4 2025), providing a snapshot of the world's largest country code top-level domains by registration volume.
China's .cn is currently the world's largest country code top-level domain, with around 21 million registered domains. Germany's .de follows with approximately 17.7 million registrations, reflecting Germany's large digital economy, high internet adoption and long-standing preference for country-specific domains.
The United Kingdom's .uk ranks third globally with about 10.2 million registrations. Other major European ccTLDs include .ru, .nl, .fr and .eu, each with millions of registered domains. Europe continues to have some of the world's most mature country code domain markets, with strong adoption among businesses, government organizations and individuals.
Outside Europe, .br (Brazil), .au (Australia) and .in (India) rank among the world's largest ccTLDs. Large domestic internet populations, strong local business ecosystems and consumer trust in national domain extensions have helped these country code domains remain popular despite the continued growth of generic top-level domains such as .com.
Expert tip from Keren Nir, Senior SEO Strategist at Wix:
".com is the most popular and widely recognized domain extension, making it the best choice for businesses. However, other extensions like .net, .org and country-specific ones can also be effective, depending on your business."
Worth knowing: Volume of registered domains doesn't always equal trustworthiness. Some smaller ccTLDs have strict local residency or trademark requirements, which actually makes them harder to obtain and, as a result, more credible locally. A .fi or .no domain immediately reads as Finnish or Norwegian to a local audience in a way that a .com never could.
Learn more about best domain extensions for a personal website
ccTLDs used for branding (not geography)
Some of the most interesting corners of the domain world involve extensions that were designed for one purpose and ended up serving a completely different one. A handful of ccTLDs, mostly assigned to small territories, have been adopted at scale by companies and communities with no geographic connection to their country of origin.
.io, assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory, became the go-to extension for SaaS products and developer tools in the early 2010s. The appeal was partly aesthetic, "I/O" as input/output is fundamental computer science terminology, and partly practical, since .io was open to non-residents when other tech-friendly extensions weren't.
.ai, officially Anguilla's, followed a similar path when the artificial intelligence industry accelerated. For a deeper look at one of the fastest-growing extensions, see our guide to what is an .ai domain.
.co was repurposed as a shorthand for "company" or "corporation" and became especially popular with startups looking for a .com alternative. .tv (Tuvalu) found a natural home in the streaming and broadcasting industry, where the TV metaphor is self-evident.
.me (Montenegro) became a favorite for personal sites and apps with a first-person angle. .fm (Micronesia) is now synonymous with radio, podcasts and music platforms.
New generic TLDs like .ai, .app, and .shop reached 37.8 million registrations in Q1 2025, posting the fastest growth rate among all domain categories, with demand for .ai domains alone growing more than 400% in three years. According to Domain Name Industry Brief (DNIB) Q1 2025.
Worth noting: the same thing happens in reverse. A .country domain looks like a country code but is a generic extension built around country music and rural life.
Who can register a country domain?
Registration rules are one of the most important things to check before choosing a ccTLD. While some country code domains are available to anyone worldwide, others require a connection to the country or territory they represent.
Open vs. restricted ccTLDs
Open ccTLDs do not require a local address or residency. Extensions like .co, .io, .ai, .tv and .me can be registered by people and businesses around the world. Their open registration policies have helped these domains become popular beyond their original geographic use.
Restricted ccTLDs have specific eligibility rules. Some require a local address, citizenship or business registration. For example, .de requires a German administrative contact, .au requires an Australian business number or legal presence and .ca is available only to eligible Canadian individuals and organizations. Other extensions, like .fr, have rules based on EU residency or a connection to France.
Some ccTLDs are reserved for specific purposes. For example, .eu can be registered by eligible individuals and organizations connected to the European Union, while .gov.uk is limited to UK government bodies. These restrictions help keep certain domains connected to the communities and organizations they serve.
Keep track of ccTLD policy changes
ccTLD eligibility rules can change over time. A domain extension that is open to international registrants today may introduce new requirements in the future.
For example, after Brexit, .eu updated its eligibility rules and many UK-based registrants who no longer met the requirements could no longer hold their domains. Registrants had a transition period to update their information or make changes, but some businesses and individuals had to move to a different domain extension.
Learn more about how to register a domain name
Do country domains affect SEO?
The relationship between ccTLDs and SEO has changed over time. While country code domains are still associated with specific countries or regions, search engines now use many different signals to understand where a website is relevant.
In the past, ccTLDs were a stronger geographic ranking signal. A .de domain suggested a connection to Germany, while a .au domain indicated a focus on Australia. This made ccTLDs a popular choice for businesses serving a specific local market because the domain itself helped communicate their target audience.
Today, Google considers a wider range of factors when determining a website's geographic relevance, including content, language, location signals and user behavior. Google removed the country targeting feature from Search Console in 2022, but ccTLDs can still provide a clear local identity for users and may support local SEO efforts through stronger connections with regional audiences, directories and backlinks.
How Google treats ccTLDs and gTLDs
Google generally treats generic top-level domains (gTLDs) such as .com, .app, .shop and .blog the same when it comes to rankings. These extensions do not provide a built-in SEO advantage based on the domain ending alone.
ccTLDs work differently because they are designed to represent specific countries or territories and can send a geographic signal to search engines. However, some ccTLDs have gained global use and are treated differently by Google.
For example, extensions like .io and .ai are commonly used by technology companies worldwide and are considered generic by Google rather than being tied only to their original territories.
This means businesses can use certain ccTLDs for branding without necessarily limiting their search visibility, but it is still important to understand how each extension is treated and what audience it is most commonly associated with.
When to choose a ccTLD or a .com domain
For businesses targeting multiple countries, a common approach is to use a .com domain with separate language or country versions supported by hreflang tags. However, companies focused on a single market may still benefit from using a local ccTLD because it can build trust with local customers and make the site's target audience immediately clear.
Did you know: .com is not the only country-neutral choice. A .international domain states the same thing in a word, which helps when the .com you want went years ago.
Learn more:
When to use a country domain (and when to skip it)
A ccTLD is worth considering when your business is genuinely local or regional. If you operate in Germany and most of your customers are German, a .de domain signals local relevance in a way no amount of localized content fully replicates. The same logic applies to any market where local audiences instinctively trust a national extension over a generic one.
A territory ccTLD (like .io or .ai) makes sense when the extension genuinely reflects your brand's identity. A tech product called something.io reads as native to the developer ecosystem in a way that something.com might not. For a full breakdown of your options, read our guide to domain extensions.
On the other hand, if you serve multiple countries, plan to expand internationally or aren't sure yet which market you'll prioritize, a .com remains the safer foundation. It carries global recognition, faces no residency restrictions and avoids the complication of country-specific registries setting your operational rules.
Expert tip from Ofir Gvili, Domains Product Marketing Manager at Wix:
"Think of your domain as the headline of your brand. It's often the very first thing people see, even before they land on your website. A strong domain builds trust instantly and sets the tone for your entire website."
Find your perfect domain plus 400+ domain extensions on Wix. Search and register your domain in one place.
How to register a country domain with Wix
Wix offers over 400 domain extensions, including country-specific TLDs from around the world, through its real-time domain search. As an ICANN-accredited domain registrar, Wix handles the registration process directly, without third-party intermediaries.
01. Search for your domain
Go to Wix's domain name search and type your preferred name. Wix will show availability across multiple extensions including the ccTLD you're targeting, so you can compare options in one place.
02. Check availability and eligibility
For restricted ccTLDs, Wix surfaces the relevant requirements during the registration process. Open ccTLDs like .co, .io and .ai can be registered immediately with no additional documentation.
03. Choose your plan
Wix lets you register a domain as a standalone purchase or as part of a website plan. If you're building a site, connecting your domain, hosting and email in one place simplifies ongoing management.
04. Connect your website and set up email
Once registered, your domain connects directly to your Wix website. From the same dashboard, you can set up a professional email address that matches your domain.
Custom domain adoption has surged: Wix data shows the rate among published sites more than doubled in three years, jumping from 26% in 2022 to 66% in 2025. According to Wix State of Websites 2026.
If you haven't settled on a name yet, Wix's domain name generator can help you explore options across hundreds of extensions, including the ccTLD you're targeting.
Wix lets business owners register a domain, build a website and manage hosting and email from one platform, which means one login, one renewal date and one support team rather than coordinating across separate providers.
Not sure what to call your site? Browse our list of domain name ideas for inspiration before you search.
Country code domains FAQ
What is a ccTLD?
A ccTLD (country code top-level domain) is a two-letter internet domain extension assigned to a specific country or territory based on ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 codes. Examples include .uk (United Kingdom), .de (Germany) and .jp (Japan). Each ccTLD is managed by a national registry with its own registration rules.
What is the most popular country domain extension?
.de (Germany) is the most registered ccTLD in the world, with close to 17.7 million active domains. .uk comes second in Europe. In terms of global recognition, .co.uk, .com.au and .com.br are among the most widely used second-level ccTLD structures.
Can I register a country domain if I don't live there?
It depends on the extension. Many ccTLDs, including .co, .io, .ai, .tv and .me, are fully open to international registration with no residency required. Others, like .de, .au and .ca, have local presence or citizenship requirements. Always check the specific registry's rules before attempting to register.
Do country domains affect SEO?
Yes, though the effect has become more nuanced. ccTLDs still carry a geographic signal that can help with local SEO in the target country. For businesses targeting a single national market, a ccTLD can reinforce geographic relevance. For international businesses, .com with hreflang implementation is generally a stronger approach.
What is the difference between a ccTLD and a gTLD?
A ccTLD (country code TLD) is a two-letter extension tied to a specific country or territory (.uk, .de, .jp). A gTLD (generic TLD) is a multi-letter extension with no geographic association (.com, .net, .org, .app). gTLDs are available for global registration without country-specific requirements.
What ccTLDs are commonly used for branding rather than geography?
The most common brandable ccTLDs are .io (tech and SaaS), .ai (artificial intelligence), .co (startups and companies), .tv (streaming and media), .me (personal projects and apps), .fm (podcasts and music) and .gg (gaming). These are technically assigned to specific territories but are registered globally for their brand associations rather than geographic ones.
