Published: 17.10.2026
The .cn extension is the country-code domain of China. Chinese companies, shops, schools and online services use it to show that they are rooted in China and that they speak to Chinese-speaking visitors, so a .cn address tells people at once who a site is for. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .cn is still free.
Check if a .cn domain is available .cn Check
A short history
The .cn zone dates from the early years of the Chinese internet, when the network was used mainly by universities and research institutes. As businesses moved online, the zone grew with them, first among technology firms and then among manufacturers, retailers, media outlets and local service providers. Its rules have been revised as the market has developed, so the current terms are the ones that matter when you order.
Who runs it
The zone is operated by CNNIC, the China Internet Network Information Center, which maintains the central register of names and the technical infrastructure behind them. Accredited registrars sell names to customers and send the orders to the registry. Policies on who may hold a name and which details must be supplied are set by the registry and the authorities, so check them at the time of registration rather than relying on older guides.
Rules in practice
- Identity checks: the registry and registrars may ask for identity or organisation details and verify them before a name is activated.
- Contact data: the holder information must be accurate and kept up to date, because the registry can ask for changes or confirmation.
- Name format: labels use Latin letters, digits and hyphens, and a single label can be up to 63 characters long.
- Renewal: put the expiry date in your calendar, since a name that lapses may be picked up by someone else.
Who uses .cn
- Chinese companies of every size, from small shops to large manufacturers and retailers.
- Online stores and service providers that sell to buyers in China.
- Schools, universities, clinics and community organisations with a Chinese audience.
- Foreign businesses that want a clear local address for Chinese-speaking customers.
Strengths
- The ending makes the link to China clear at a glance, which helps local visitors feel that a site is meant for them.
- Search engines can read a country-code ending as one hint about the target market, so Chinese-language content on a .cn site may be easier to match with local searches.
- Many customers in China already know how a .cn address looks, so it needs little explanation on a card or a shop sign.
Things to keep in mind
- A .cn name ties the business to China, so a company whose customers are mostly overseas may also need a generic address.
- Identity and organisation checks mean that registration takes more preparation than a generic name does.
- A website hosted inside mainland China usually needs a separate filing with the authorities before it goes live. That filing is independent of the domain registration, so check the current rules with your hosting provider.
- Visitors from other countries may type .com out of habit, so consider owning both names.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and decide whether you need both addresses.
- Gather the identity and organisation documents that the registrar will ask for before you start the order.
- Decide whether the site will use Simplified Chinese, English or both, and plan the pages before launch.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
- Enable auto-renewal and protect the registrar account with two-factor login.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign company register a .cn name? Rules on who may hold a name and which documents are needed can depend on the holder, so check the current terms with the registrar before you order.
Does .cn help a site appear in Chinese search results? It can be a useful signal of the target market, but clear content in the right language and reliable access usually matter more.
Can I use a .cn name for an English-only site? Yes, the ending does not fix the language. If your main audience is in China, though, visitors there will usually expect at least some Chinese content.
