A domain doesn't become available the day it expires. For most generic extensions it moves through an auto-renew grace period (often with an expired-domain auction), a 30-day redemption period and a five-day pending-delete stage before it drops. This calculator lays out each stage from the expiry date so you know when to backorder and when to watch the drop.
How to use the Drop Date Calculator
- Enter the domain to fetch its expiry date automatically, or type the date.
- Choose the registrar profile (typical gTLD defaults are pre-filled).
- Press Calculate to see the timeline.
How it works
ICANN's Expired Registration Recovery Policy and registry rules set the redemption grace period (30 days) and pending delete (5 days) for most gTLDs. The time between expiry and deletion varies by registrar — commonly 30 to 45 days — and many registrars auction the name during that window. Country-code extensions follow their own registry rules. Dates are estimates: an owner can renew or the registrar can sell the name at any point before deletion.
When to use it
- Planning backorders
- Timing outreach to owners of expiring names
- Understanding auction timing
Pro tips
- Once a domain shows
pendingDelete, the drop date is nearly certain. - Place backorders with more than one drop-catching service for contested names.
Frequently asked questions
What is the redemption grace period?
A 30-day window after deletion is requested in which the previous owner can still restore the domain, usually for a fee.
When do expired domains drop?
Most .com and .net names drop during the daily drop, roughly 11am–2pm US Pacific time, roughly 65–80 days after expiry if not renewed or sold.
Can I register a domain the day it expires?
No. The owner keeps rights through the grace periods; the name only becomes available after it is deleted.