Published: 29.09.2026
The .uk extension is the short form of the British national domain. It is shorter than the well-known .co.uk and is used by companies, charities and individuals who want a compact address that is clearly British.
Check if a .uk domain is available .uk Check
A short history
The code of the United Kingdom in the domain system is .uk, which was set up in the 1980s and has been in use ever since, although the official country code of the standard list is different. For almost three decades, people could register names only at the second level, such as .co.uk for companies, .org.uk for organisations and .me.uk for individuals. In 2014 the registry opened registrations directly under .uk, so that a name like "brand.uk" became possible. Holders of the older names received a period of priority to claim the same name in the short form.
Who runs it
The registry is Nominet, a not-for-profit company that sets the policy and operates the infrastructure. Names are sold by registrars, who must follow the registry rules. The registry has a dispute resolution service and provides tools to fight abuse. DNSSEC is supported.
Rules in practice
- Names: letters, digits and hyphens, up to 63 characters.
- Periods: registration for one year or longer, with renewal.
- Contact data: must be accurate, and a registrar may validate it. Check the current requirement for an address in the UK when you register.
- Related names: if you own a .co.uk, the matching .uk name may have been reserved for you for a limited time.
- Second-level options: .co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, .ltd.uk and others remain valid and active.
Who uses .uk
- British businesses that want a modern, short address.
- Charities, public bodies and media.
- Foreign companies with strong operations in the UK.
- Individuals and start-ups building a British brand.
- Owners of .co.uk who also use the short form for printing and advertising.
Strengths
The address is short and easy to remember, and it works well on business cards, packaging and mobile screens. It shows a British orientation to customers and to search engines. It is supported by a stable registry with clear rules and strong protection against abuse.
Weaknesses
- Some visitors still expect .co.uk and may type it out of habit.
- If a competitor owns the .co.uk name, the short .uk may lead to confusion.
- It is not as well known internationally as .com.
Tips before you register
- Check the names in .co.uk and .com, and secure the ones you need.
- Decide which version is the main one, and redirect the others with a permanent redirect.
- Use the same name in social profiles and listings.
- Host the site close to British visitors, with a data centre in the region.
- Keep the account and the contact e-mail in your control, with auto-renewal on.
Frequently asked questions
Is .uk the same as .co.uk? They are separate names in the same national family. Many owners hold both.
Does .uk need a UK address? The registry has conditions about contact details, so check the current policy.
Which is better for SEO? Neither has an advantage; both signal the UK.
