Types of expired domains
"Expired domain" covers several different situations. Knowing which one a name is in tells you who can sell it, when, and how to try for it.
Expiring (in grace)
Past its expiry date but still with the owner's registrar, who can renew it. Many registrars list these in their own expiry auctions. You cannot register them yet.
Expiry auction names
Names the registrar is auctioning while it is still allowed to. If someone wins, the name moves to them and never drops. If nobody bids, many registrars offer it again as a cheaper fixed-price closeout before letting it go.
Redemption
The registrar has given up the name, but for about 30 days (generic extensions) the old owner can still restore it for a fee. Nobody else can buy it.
Pending delete
The last stage, about five days for generic extensions. Nobody can renew it; the registry will delete it at a known time. This is what our pending delete list shows, with the drop date for each name.
Dropped (deleted)
The registry has deleted the name and anyone can register it. Popular names are caught within seconds by drop-catching services; the rest stay free, sometimes for months. See just dropped.
Caught
Names that were registered again straight after dropping, usually by a drop-catcher, who then auctions them to their backorder customers. Caught domains show what the market wants.
Country-code names
Each country registry sets its own rules. .uk names are suspended and then released by Nominet on a published drop list with exact times; .se and .nu names are released by Internet Stiftelsen on a published date. Lifecycle details are in expiry, redemption and pending delete.
More guides
- How to buy an expired domain
- How to choose a good expired domain
- Expired domain red flags
- Expired domain tools compared
- Aged domains explained
- Expired domains with backlinks
- How to check a domain before you buy
- Expiry, redemption and pending delete
- How we score domains
Last updated 15 October 2026