TLD Guide

.dev Domain: Price, Registration Rules & Is It Worth It (August 2026)

.dev is a newer generic top-level domain (gTLD), operated by Google Registry (Charleston Road Registry) and available for registration since 2019. It's best known as the domain of choice for developer tools, technical documentation, and dev-focused products.

Quick answer: .dev domains typically cost $12–$20/yr. Registration has eligibility restrictions — requires https — enforced via mandatory hsts preload.

Who Can Register a .dev Domain

Registration is restricted: Requires HTTPS — enforced via mandatory HSTS preload. Check your chosen registrar's specific documentation requirements before attempting to register — an application that doesn't meet the registry's eligibility rules will be rejected rather than simply flagged.

Typical .dev Pricing

.dev domains fall into the mid pricing tier, typically running $12–$20/yr. As with most domains, watch for a discounted first-year promotional rate that jumps significantly at renewal — always check the renewal price before registering, not just the checkout price you're shown initially.

What .dev Is Actually Used For

.dev is most commonly chosen by developer tools, technical documentation, and dev-focused products. Google's registry technically mandates HTTPS for every .dev site through browser-level HSTS preloading

Is .dev the Right Choice for Your Project?

As one of the newer top-level domains introduced after 2012, .dev trades some general-audience familiarity for a name that can be more literal or on-the-nose about what the site does. That tradeoff works well for products and audiences that already expect newer extensions, and less well for anything aimed at a broad consumer audience still defaulting to .com.

What to Check Before You Buy

.dev usually runs somewhat higher than a comparable .com, so it's worth confirming the exact renewal price matches what you're prepared to pay every year, not just at signup. Three things are worth confirming before you commit to any .dev domain: the real renewal price once any first-year discount ends, whether WHOIS privacy is included or billed separately, and -- if it's a restricted extension -- whether you actually qualify under the registry's eligibility rules. Each of those has caused a real, avoidable surprise for someone who skipped the check.

For a wider view, compare .app against .link, or read our registrar comparison for the fundamentals that apply to any domain.

Once you've decided, check .dev availability instantly for your exact name, or run a WHOIS lookup if you find it's already registered and want to see who owns it and when it expires.

Quick Answers

Can anyone register a .dev domain?

Not without meeting the eligibility requirement: Requires HTTPS — enforced via mandatory HSTS preload. Check with your registrar on the specific documentation needed before attempting to register.

How much does a .dev domain cost?

Typically $12–$20/yr. As with most domains, confirm the renewal price separately from any first-year promotional discount before registering.

What is .dev commonly used for?

.dev is most associated with developer tools, technical documentation, and dev-focused products.

Who operates the .dev registry?

Google Registry (Charleston Road Registry) operates the .dev registry, which has been in operation since 2019.

Does .dev affect SEO compared to .com?

No direct ranking penalty exists for any legitimate TLD — Google has stated extensions themselves aren't a ranking factor. What matters more is the same thing that matters for any domain: relevant content, backlinks, and a name people trust enough to click.

Can I transfer a .dev domain to a different registrar later?

In most cases yes, following the standard domain transfer process (unlocking, obtaining an authorization code, and waiting out the 60-day post-registration transfer restriction). Restricted extensions may have additional registry-specific transfer requirements beyond the standard process.

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