Published: 17.10.2026
The .hm extension is the country-code domain of Heard Island and McDonald Islands, a remote group of islands in the southern Indian Ocean that is an external territory of Australia. The territory has no permanent residents, so its zone is very different from the zones used by towns and cities. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .hm is still available.
Check if a .hm domain is available .hm Check
A short history
The islands are cold, windswept and far from the nearest inhabited land, and they have no permanent community. The zone therefore has almost no local market. Names in it are most likely to be chosen for a subject that connects to the islands, such as science, nature, the history of the territory or sub-Antarctic study, rather than for a shop, a cafe or a local service.
Who runs it
The zone is administered by a registry designated for the territory, and that registry publishes the terms that apply to holders. Registrars, where they are available, pass orders to the registry. This article does not describe the registration conditions in detail, because they are set by the registry and may change, so read its current terms before you consider an order.
Rules in practice
- Registry terms: the conditions come from the registry itself, so read its current information before you order.
- Accurate records: contact details should be correct and up to date, since the registry or registrar may ask you to confirm them.
- Name format: names are built from letters, digits and hyphens, within the length limits the registry sets.
- Keeping the name: keep track of the expiry date, because a lapsed name can be lost to another applicant.
Who uses .hm
- Research groups and students who study the Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic nature.
- Photographers, writers and documentary makers who cover remote islands.
- Conservation and environmental groups that work on wildlife and marine protection.
- Teachers and educational projects that present geography and polar science.
Strengths
- The name is short and tied directly to a specific place, so a project can explain its subject at a glance.
- The ending is unusual and memorable, which may help a niche project stand out.
- A name built around one remote territory can give a focused project a clear and honest identity.
Things to keep in mind
- Most visitors will not recognise the ending, so explain on the home page what the site is about.
- A name that suggests official status, such as a government body or a formal research programme, should not be used without a real basis for it.
- With a very small audience, a .hm name is rarely the first choice for a general business.
- Terms and policies may change, so check them regularly.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and in the sites that already cover the topic.
- Write a short description of the project on the first page, so visitors understand the ending.
- Publish sources, named authors and a contact address for any scientific or educational content.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
- Enable auto-renewal and keep the contact e-mail address active.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone register a .hm name? This article does not set out the registration rules, because they belong to the registry and may change. Check its current terms before you order.
Does a .hm name show where a business is based? It signals a link to the territory rather than a local customer base, because the islands have no permanent residents.
Can a .hm name help a website rank in search results? No ending can promise a ranking. Clear, well-sourced content and genuine links matter far more.
