Published: 17.10.2026
The .ca extension is the country-code domain of Canada. Canadian companies, schools, clubs and public organisations use it to show that they are rooted in the country, and visitors in Canada tend to read it as a sign of a local presence. Canada has two official languages, English and French, so the same ending can serve a site in either language. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .ca is still free.
Check if a .ca domain is available .ca Check
A short history
The Canadian national zone grew alongside the country's websites. It began with universities, research groups and technology firms, and later spread to shops, service providers and national brands. Over the years the zone became a standard part of Canadian online life, and many Canadian customers now expect to see a .ca address from a local firm. The rules have been revised as the zone has developed, so the current terms are the ones that count when you order.
Who runs it
The .ca zone is run by CIRA, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, which is a non-profit organisation. CIRA maintains the national registry and sets the policies that govern who may hold a name, while accredited registrars sell names to customers and send the orders to the registry. Because the policies are published by the registry, they are the reference point for any question about eligibility, contact details or renewal.
Rules in practice
- Presence requirements: the registry applies rules on the holder's connection to Canada, so check whether you qualify before you pay for a registration.
- Contact data: the holder's details must be accurate, and they may need to be confirmed when the registry asks for it.
- Length and characters: labels use letters, digits and hyphens, and a single label can be up to 63 characters long, which is the general DNS limit.
- Renewal: put the renewal date in your calendar and keep the contact address active, because a lapsed name can be picked up by someone else.
Who uses .ca
- Canadian companies of every size, from sole traders to national brands.
- Restaurants, clinics, trades and other services that serve customers in Canadian cities and regions.
- Schools, associations and community groups with a Canadian audience.
- French-speaking and bilingual projects that want a clear Canadian address for their visitors.
Strengths
- The ending makes the site's Canadian focus clear at a glance, which helps local visitors feel at home.
- Search engines can treat a country-code ending as one signal of the intended audience, so a site with Canadian content may be easier to match with local searches.
- The zone suits sites written in English, in French or in both languages, since the two official languages share one national ending.
Things to keep in mind
- A .ca name ties the business to Canada, so a company with a mainly overseas audience may still want a generic address.
- Good short names are often registered already, so prepare two or three alternatives before you start.
- Visitors from other countries may type .com out of habit, so decide early whether you need both.
- Presence rules and other terms can change, so an older registration may need updated details later.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and in the social accounts you plan to use.
- Enter the holder details exactly as they appear in your official business records.
- Decide early whether the site will be in English, French or both, and plan the pages before launch.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
- Turn on auto-renewal and protect the registrar account with two-factor login.
Frequently asked questions
Can a person or company outside Canada register a .ca name? The registry sets presence requirements for holders, so check the current rules to see whether your situation meets them.
Does .ca help a site appear in Canadian search results? It is one useful geographic signal. Clear local content, reliable hosting and genuine links usually count for more.
Can I use French accented letters in a .ca name? Some internationalised names may be possible under the registry rules. Test how the address looks in several browsers before you print it on materials.
