Reserve your .io domain name
The .io extension was created in 1997 and is the extension for the British Indian Ocean territory. Today its use refers more to I/O which stands for Input/Output, a nod to the technology sector. This ccTLD is no longer geographically restricted; it can be purchased by any kind of company or individual. It is also considered by search engines and especially by Google as a gTLD (like .com, .net, .org, etc.). It is used extensively by tech startups, in online gaming, and for many open-source projects. An .io domain is suitable for all types of web development projects. Registering a .io domain name will set you apart and make you more visible to a dynamic tech audience.
Expiry date
Details
Creation
Included with your domain name
5 GB email account
An essential email solution, linked to your domain name.
100 MB web hosting
Perfect for coding your first webpage.
DNS Management
Link your domain name to your website, manage your email addresses, and configure your subdomains directly from your OVHcloud Control Panel.
DNSSEC
Secure DNS authentication with your domain name (to be enabled).
Protection against theft
Protect yourself against fraudulent domain name transfer requests.
Easy Redirect
Redirect your domain name to a webpage of your choice.
The life cycle of .io
Creating your .io domain name
| Booking Period | 1 to 10 years |
| Renewal Period | 1 to 10 years |
| Delivery time | Immediate |
| Domain size | 3 to 63 characters |
| Internationalised domain names (IDN) supported | Yes |
| Price | |
.io domain name renewal
| Warning emails 60, 30, 15, 7 and 3 days before the expiry date: | ✓ |
| Email the day of expiration for notification of suspension of a domain name. | ✓ |
| Email following the Redemption Grace Period for notification of deletion of domain name. | ✓ |
| Renew directly on www.ovhcloud.com | ✓ |
| Renew via your Control Panel | ✓ |
| Price | £51.39 ex. VAT/year or £61.67 incl. VAT/year |
.io domain name transfer
| Time to complete the transfer | 5 - 10 days |
| Price | £41.59 ex. VAT/year or £49.91 incl. VAT/year |
| Renewal on transfer | Yes |
.io domain name owner change
| Price | Free |
.io domain name reactivation
| Redemption period | 30 days |
| Reactivation by the owner | ✓ |
| Price | £60.36 ex. VAT/year or £72.43 incl. VAT/year |
Included with your .io domain name
| Disk space | 100 MB |
| Email accounts | 1 * 5 GB |
About .io
The .io domain extension has become quite popular in the new tech industry, where it stands for “input/output” (I/O or IO). It is also the primary domain (ccTLD) for the British Indian Ocean territory, just like .fr for France or .uk for the United Kingdom. Although .io typically stands for “Indian Ocean”, anyone can register a domain name with this extension.
Who can register a .io domain name?
Any individual or entity can register a .io domain name. There are no specific restrictions — it is available to everyone, regardless of where they are or what industry they are in.
What are the pros and cons of the .io extension?
The .io extension is widely recognised in the tech industry, with many companies now choosing it over other options. It’s just two letters so it’s easy to remember, and there’s a better chance of getting it than a .com domain.
Unfortunately, this extension is not well known outside the tech industry, which limits its recognition. Plus, it’s usually more costly than extensions like .ovh, which can be a drag on companies or individuals looking for cheaper alternatives.
How do I create a professional email address with a .io domain name?
By opting for OVHcloud, you get a free professional email address for each registered domain name. Log in to the OVHcloud Control Panel and choose your domain to create it. Choose the “Create an email address” option, and follow the steps to set up your email address. Check out this email setup guide for more details and advanced options.
How do I transfer a .io domain name?
Before you can transfer an .io domain name, you’ll need to get the transfer/authorisation code from your current registrar. Then log in to the OVHcloud Control Panel and select the domain transfer option from your new registrar. Lastly, simply enter the transfer code and follow the instructions to complete the process (the transfer might take a few days). Also, please check that your domain is not locked, and that your contact details are up to date.