Published: 27.09.2026
The .it extension is the national domain of Italy. For a business that serves Italian customers, it is the address that shows at once where the company is based and who it is for. The availability form shown below this paragraph will tell you whether the .it name you want can still be registered.
Check if a .it domain is available .it Check
A short history
Italy received its national code in the early days of the internet, when the network was used mainly by universities and research centres. As Italian companies moved online, the zone expanded to cover family firms, craftspeople, regional tourism and cultural institutions. Over time .it became the usual address for Italian businesses, and it remains the natural extension for a company that works in Italy.
Who runs it
The registry for the zone is Registro.it, which operates .it under the national framework. Registrars sell names to the public and pass orders to the registry, which maintains the database and the name servers. Because the rules are defined by the national registry, they are the reference point whenever a question about registration comes up.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry sets rules on who may register a name, and these can depend on the holder, for example on its location or legal form. Check them first.
- Contact details: the data entered must be accurate, and it may be verified when the registry requires it.
- Length and symbols: a name can reach 63 characters and is made of letters, digits and hyphens.
- Renewal: keep the expiry date in your calendar and enable automatic renewal with your registrar.
Who uses .it
- Restaurants, wineries, food producers and shops with Italian customers.
- Design studios, fashion labels and craft workshops that present Italian work.
- Tourism operators, cultural sites and regional associations.
- Consultants, lawyers, clinics and other professional services in Italy.
Strengths
- A .it address shows a clear local identity and helps visitors trust a business rooted in Italy.
- Search engines treat national endings as a geographic signal, so Italian-language content can be matched with local searches.
- The zone is well known and easy to read on menus, vans, packaging and business cards.
Limits to consider
- The extension is tied to Italy, so an export business may also need a generic address.
- Italian visitors expect Italian-language content, so an English-only site can feel out of place.
- Good short names may already be taken, so a clear descriptive form can be the better option.
- Registration conditions should be read with care before you order, as they are specific to this zone.
Before you register
- Check the name in .com and decide whether it is worth owning both.
- Record the holder details exactly as they appear in your company papers.
- Plan Italian content, a privacy notice and clear contact pages before launch.
- Choose hosting in Europe so that pages load quickly for Italian visitors.
- Set up mail authentication records and keep the renewal reminder active.
Frequently asked questions
Can a company outside Italy register .it? It depends on the holder conditions in the current rules. Check them before you order.
Can I use .it for an English-language site? Yes, the ending does not fix the language. Italian visitors will still expect some local content, though.
Does .it help a site rank in Italian search? It is a helpful local signal, but relevant content and local business listings are often more important.
