The domain grace period and redemption period
Before an expired domain can be released, its owner gets two chances to keep it: a grace period, then a redemption period. Knowing how they work tells you when a name you want might become available.
The grace period
When a generic domain such as a .com expires, the registry automatically renews it for the registrar, which then has up to 45 days to collect payment or let it go. During this auto-renew grace period the owner can renew at the normal price, and the website and email usually stop working as a warning. Many registrars put the name up for auction at this stage; if it sells, it never reaches the drop.
The redemption period
If the name is not renewed or sold, the registrar deletes it and it enters a 30-day redemption grace period. The owner can still restore it, but registrars charge a restore fee on top of the renewal, often much more than a normal year. After 30 days it moves to pending delete for five days and is then released.
Timeline for .com
| Stage | Days after expiry | Owner can keep it? |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-renew grace | 0 to about 45 | Yes, normal price |
| Redemption | About 45 to 75 | Yes, with a restore fee |
| Pending delete | About 75 to 80 | No |
| Released | About 80 | Anyone can register it |
Registrars can shorten the grace period, so treat these as typical rather than exact. Work out the dates for a name with our drop date calculator.
What it means if you want the name
Until pending delete, the owner may still renew, so do not count on a name until it drops. Watch it on your watchlist, and bid at the registrar's auction if it appears there. The full picture is in expiry, redemption and pending delete.
More guides
- How to buy an expired domain
- Types of expired domains
- How to choose a good expired domain
- Expired domain red flags
- Expired domain tools compared
- Aged domains explained
- How to find expired domains
- Are expired domains good for SEO?
- How to backorder a domain
- How many expired domains get caught?
- Expired domains with backlinks
- What is pending delete?
- How .uk domains drop
- How to value a domain
- Redirecting an expired domain
- Building a site on an expired domain
- Expired domain or new domain?
- Whois and RDAP explained
- Drop catching explained
- Expired domains for small businesses
- How to check a domain before you buy
- Expiry, redemption and pending delete
- How we score domains
Frequently asked questions
How long is the redemption period for a domain?
30 days for .com, .net, .org and most generic extensions. Country extensions set their own rules.
How much does it cost to restore a domain from redemption?
It depends on the registrar. The restore fee is charged on top of a year's renewal and is usually far more than a normal renewal.
Does a website still work during the grace period?
Usually not. Most registrars point the name at a parking or renewal page when it expires, so the site and email stop working until it is renewed.
Last updated 15 October 2026