Published: 17.10.2026
The .cf extension is the country-code domain of the Central African Republic, a landlocked country in the middle of the African continent. Its capital is Bangui, and French and Sango are its official languages. Organisations, shops and projects that work with people in the country can use this ending to show a local link. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .cf is still available.
Check if a .cf domain is available .cf Check
A short history
The national code was set up in the early days of the internet, and its use grew gradually as organisations and businesses began to publish their own websites. Information about the early years of the zone is limited in public sources, so for dates and details it is best to rely on the operator's own published information rather than on secondary summaries.
Who runs it
The zone is managed by a registry operator that keeps the database of names and sets the rules for registration. Registrars take orders from customers and pass them on. Since conditions can change, read the operator's current terms before you order, including any requirements for holders and contact details.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the operator may set requirements for holders, and these can depend on location or other details, so check them before you order.
- Contact details: the holder information must be accurate and may be checked by the registrar.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, and each label can be up to 63 characters long.
- Renewal: keep the renewal date in view and enable auto-renewal, so the name does not lapse by accident.
Who uses .cf
- Non-profit groups and community projects with a local audience.
- Shops, traders and service providers in Bangui and other towns.
- Schools, churches and cultural groups that serve people in the country.
- Foreign organisations that want a clear link to the Central African Republic in their web address.
Strengths
- The ending shows the site's link to the Central African Republic at a glance.
- The name is short and easy to read on a sign, a card or a notice board.
- A local ending suits sites written for readers in the country, whether they use French, Sango or both.
Things to keep in mind
- Rules for this zone should be confirmed directly with the operator before you commit, because public guidance on the zone is limited.
- Visitors and partners abroad may not recognise the ending, so write the full address clearly.
- Test your pages on slower mobile connections as well as on fast ones, since many people reach the web that way.
- Good short names may already be taken, so prepare two or three alternatives in advance.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and decide whether a second address is needed.
- Register under the exact name of the organisation or person, and keep the holder details matching official documents.
- Publish the site in French, Sango or both, with clear contact details and a privacy notice.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
- Turn on auto-renewal and protect the registrar account with a strong password and two-factor login.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in the Central African Republic to register a .cf name? Holder conditions may apply and can depend on your situation. Check the operator's current terms at the time of the order.
Does a .cf name help a site appear in local search results? It is one useful geographic signal. Clear local content, reliable pages and genuine links usually matter more.
Can a site in French use .cf? Yes. The ending does not fix the language, and French is one of the official languages of the country.
