What is Domain Expiry?
Every domain name is registered for a limited period (usually 1–10 years). When the registration expires, the domain goes through several stages before becoming available again.
Expiry Timeline
1. Active — Domain works normally
2. Grace Period (0–45 days after expiry) — Can be renewed at normal price
3. Redemption Period (30 days) — Can be recovered at a high fee ($100+)
4. Pending Delete (5 days) — Cannot be recovered
5. Released — Available for anyone to register
Why it matters
- Expiring soon (< 30 days) — Risk of accidental loss
- Recently renewed — Owner is actively maintaining it
- Long registration (5+ years) — Established, committed owner
- About to drop — Potential opportunity for domain investors
Auto-renewal
Most registrars offer auto-renewal to prevent accidental expiry. However, expired payment methods or account issues can still cause domains to lapse.