Published: 17.10.2026
The .is extension is the country-code domain of Iceland, an island country in the North Atlantic with Reykjavik as its capital and Icelandic as its language. Icelandic companies, tour operators, cultural projects and local services use .is to show that they are based in Iceland. The same ending is also a short English word, so a name can read like a simple phrase. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .is is still free.
Check if a .is domain is available .is Check
A short history
Iceland received its national code in the early years of the internet, as many countries did. The zone was first used mostly by technical and academic users, and it grew as Icelandic businesses moved online. Over time it came to cover tourism operators, shops, creative studios and public bodies, and the ending became a familiar part of the Icelandic web for firms that want their home base to be obvious.
Who runs it
The .is zone is run by ISNIC, the Icelandic internet registry, which maintains the database of names and sets the rules for registration. Registrars sell names to customers and send the orders to the registry. The registry publishes its rules, so check the current terms for holders and contact details before you order, since they decide who may register a name.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry sets rules on who may hold a .is name, and these can depend on the holder's situation. Read them before you pay.
- Contact details: the data must be accurate and up to date, and it may be checked when the registry asks.
- Length and characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, and a single label can be up to 63 characters long.
- Renewal: keep the expiry date in your calendar and enable automatic renewal with your registrar.
Who uses .is
- Tour operators, guesthouses and travel services that welcome visitors to Iceland.
- Restaurants, shops, design studios and craft makers based in Iceland.
- Cultural organisations, festivals, music projects and local publishers.
- Consultants, engineers and other professional firms that work with Icelandic clients.
Strengths
- The ending shows a clear Icelandic base, which helps visitors find a local business and trust it.
- Search engines can treat a country-code ending as one geographic hint, so Icelandic-language content may match local searches.
- The name is very short, which makes it easy to type and easy to print on a card, a ticket or a sign.
Things to keep in mind
- The ending points to Iceland, so a business that serves customers in many countries may also want a generic address.
- Because is is a common English verb, a name can read unexpectedly in a sentence, so say it aloud and check how it sounds.
- The site can be written in English, but Icelandic visitors will notice whether there is any local-language content.
- Good short names may already be taken, so a descriptive or regional wording can be the better option.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and decide whether you need both addresses.
- Enter the holder details exactly as they appear in your official company or personal records.
- Plan Icelandic content, a clear contact page and a privacy notice before the site goes live.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before you use the domain for e-mail.
- Enable auto-renewal and keep the contact e-mail address active.
Frequently asked questions
Can a company outside Iceland register a .is name? Holder conditions apply, and they can depend on your situation. Check the current registry rules before you order.
Does .is help a site appear in Icelandic search results? It is a helpful local signal, but relevant Icelandic content, a fast site and genuine local links usually matter more.
Can I write an English-language site on .is? Yes. The ending does not fix the language, although Icelandic visitors will appreciate some local-language content.
