.io domains

The .io domain is the country-code extension for the British Indian Ocean Territory, but the technology industry adopted it long ago for a different reason: developers read "io" as input/output. That association made it the default choice for SaaS products, developer tools, APIs, open-source projects, and startups that want a short, technical-sounding name. Registration is open worldwide with no local-presence requirement, and terms are standard one-year periods. Because demand from the tech sector is high, .io typically prices above a common gTLD like .com. In 2024 a UK agreement over the territory raised questions about the extension's future, but the relevant authorities confirmed that .io continues to operate normally and existing registrations are unaffected. For a product, a tool, or a company that lives in the developer world, .io signals exactly that.

.io domain details

Type	Country Code Top-Level Domain
Registry	Identity Digital
Registration	$45.00/yr
Renewal	$45.00/yr
WHOIS privacy	Free
DNSSEC	Supported
Registration period	1 to 10 years

Register .io domains with an AI agent

OSIR is an AI-native registrar. Every .io domain can be registered, renewed, and managed through natural language using Claude, ChatGPT, or any agent that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Frequently asked questions

How do I register a .io domain?: Search for the .io name you want, confirm it is available, and complete checkout - or ask an MCP-compatible AI assistant to do it for you. Registration through OSIR starts at $45.00/yr and includes free WHOIS privacy, DNSSEC, and anycast DNS.
Can I register a .io domain with Claude or ChatGPT?: Yes. OSIR supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP) with 82 tools, so any MCP-compatible AI assistant - including Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Copilot - can search, register, and manage .io domains on your behalf.
What is included with a .io domain registration?: Every .io domain registered through OSIR includes anycast DNS, DNSSEC support, free WHOIS privacy protection, registrar lock, and full API and MCP access. Registration starts at $45.00/yr.
How much does it cost to renew a .io domain?: .io renewal is $45.00/yr through OSIR. Prices include ICANN fees and a 3% or $0.30 processing fee (whichever is greater). There are no hidden fees.