- Category
- Early generic (2000 to 2012)
- IANA type
- Generic
- Manager
- Telnames Ltd.
- Registry operator
- Telnames Limited
- Script
- Latin
- Delegated
- 2007-03-02
- DS in root
- 1 record(s)
- Algorithm
- 8 · RSASHA256
- IDN names
- yes, 17 scripts/languages
- WHOIS
- whois.nic.tel
- RDAP
- yes
Checked 26 Oct 2026 by our weekly check.
Is a .tel name registered?
Looked up from your browser in the registry's RDAP service; if that does not answer, in DNS. Nothing is stored on dnssec.in.What this means
The root zone holds a DS record for .tel, so the extension is signed and anchored. A domain under .tel can use DNSSEC with a full chain of trust: it needs to be signed at its DNS host and have its own DS at the registrar.
IDN names under .tel
The registry publishes IDN tables at IANA for 17 scripts or languages, so names can use these characters (stored as xn-- in the DNS):
- Chinese Language
- Danish Language
- Finnish Language
- French Language
- German Language
- Hungarian Language
- Icelandic Language
- Japanese Language
- Korean Language
- Latvian Language
- Lithuanian Language
- Norwegian Language
- Polish Language
- Portuguese Language
- Russian Language
- Spanish Language
- Swedish Language
Length
DNS limits are the same everywhere: each label is 1 to 63 characters, the whole name at most 253, letters, digits and hyphens, not starting or ending with a hyphen. IDN labels count their xn-- form, so fewer native characters fit. A registry can set a higher minimum (often 2 or 3 characters) or reserve short names: that is in its own policy.
WHOIS and RDAP
RDAP (the JSON successor to WHOIS) answers at https://rdap.nic.tel/. Classic WHOIS (port 43) answers at whois.nic.tel. For most gTLD names the owner's contact details are redacted for privacy; the registrar, dates and status are public.
Lifecycle and drop
A generic extension under contract with ICANN follows the common gTLD lifecycle. Exact days can vary by registrar inside these limits:
| Stage | Days | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Add grace | 5 | Right after registration the registrar can delete the name for a refund. |
| Transfer lock | usually 60 | After registration or a transfer, the name cannot move to another registrar. |
| Expiry | 0 | The term ends. The name usually stops resolving within days. |
| Renewal grace | at least 30, up to 45 | The holder can still renew at the normal price. |
| Redemption | 30 | Deleted, but the holder can restore it for a fee. |
| Pending delete | 5 | No changes. Then the name drops and anyone can register it. |
So an expired name usually becomes free again 65 to 80 days after expiry. The lookup above shows a name's current status, for example redemption period or pending delete.