Published: 17.10.2026
The .mq extension is the country-code domain assigned to Martinique, a French overseas region in the Caribbean Sea with its main town in Fort-de-France. Local businesses, hotels, cultural groups and island services use a .mq name to show that they are rooted in Martinique. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .mq is still available.
Check if a .mq domain is available .mq Check
A short history
The .mq code was assigned to the island in the early period of the internet, when the network was used mainly by universities, public bodies and technical specialists. As Martinican businesses and cultural organisations began to publish their own sites, the zone grew into a familiar part of the island's online life. Today it is used by shops, hotels, schools and local associations that want a clear island address, and it sits alongside French and international endings in everyday use.
Who runs it
The zone is run by a registry operator that keeps the names database and sets the rules for registration. Accredited registrars take the sales and forward each order to the registry. The operator publishes the conditions for holders and for renewal, and these can depend on the holder's situation, so read the current terms before you order.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the operator may set rules on who can hold a .mq name, so check whether you qualify before you pay.
- Contact details: the registrant data must be accurate, and it may be verified.
- Characters: only letters, digits and hyphens are standard. Whether accented French letters are accepted depends on the registry's support for internationalised names, so check that first.
- Renewal: keep the expiry date in view and set reminders for a named person, because a lapsed name can be taken by someone else.
Who uses .mq
- Hotels, guesthouses and beach restaurants that serve visitors to the island.
- Shops, rum producers and food businesses that sell to local customers and tourists.
- Schools, cultural associations and music or dance groups that present island traditions.
- Consultants, builders and service firms that work with Martinican clients.
Strengths
- The ending points clearly to Martinique, which helps local visitors and customers recognise a business rooted on the island.
- For a travel or cultural project, the address can carry a sense of place that a generic name does not give.
- French is the official language on the island, and Martinican Creole is also widely spoken, so a site can be written in either or both.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone refers to one island, so a business with customers across the Caribbean or in mainland France may also want a generic address.
- Visitors from abroad may not recognise the two-letter ending, so print the full address on signs and menus.
- Good short names are often taken, so a name that includes a place or an activity may be easier to secure.
- Rules for holders can change, so keep your registration details current.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and in .fr if you plan to sell to customers in mainland France.
- Enter the business or personal details word for word from your official papers.
- Prepare the site in French, add Creole where it suits your audience, and publish clear contact details.
- Create SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain is used for e-mail.
- Turn on auto-renewal and use two-factor login on the registrar account.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live on Martinique to register a .mq name? Eligibility rules can depend on your situation, so read the current terms at the moment you order.
Does a .mq address help a site appear in local search results? It is only a geographic hint. Clear local content, a fast site and genuine references usually matter more.
Is a .mq name useful for a business that sells mainly to visitors? Many island businesses use it for that purpose. If most of your customers arrive from outside the Caribbean, a generic name may still be worth owning alongside it.
