.io domains
.io domains for sale: auctions and buy-now listings
.io is technically the country code for the British Indian Ocean Territory, but programmers read it as input/output, and it became the default for developer tools, SaaS and tech startups. DomainSnip searches the .io auctions and buy-now listings on GoDaddy, Dynadot and Namecheap together.
.io at a glance
| Type | Country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) |
|---|---|
| Country | British Indian Ocean Territory |
| Introduced | 1997 |
| Registry | Internet Computer Bureau |
| Restrictions | None. Open to anyone |
| Marketplaces searched | GoDaddy, Dynadot and Namecheap |
Who .io suits
- Developer tools, APIs, SaaS products and tech startups
- Games and apps, where .io has become familiar to players
- Short brandable names that are long gone in .com
Before you buy
- .io renewals cost more than .com at most registrars. Factor the yearly renewal into what a name is worth to you.
- Short one-word and made-up .io names get the most attention. Set a length filter to find them.
- .io is a country-code domain whose long-term future has been debated. Weigh that if you plan to build a brand on it for decades.
How to find .io domains on DomainSnip
- Open the search with .io selected. The .io search shows auctions and buy-now listings from GoDaddy, Dynadot and Namecheap together.
- Narrow it down. Add a keyword, a maximum price or length, an auction end time, or only show names that already have bids. Names with numbers and hyphens are hidden by default.
- Sort and shortlist. Sort by estimated value, price, time left or newest, and save the names you like to your watchlist.
- Get new matches by email. Save the search as an alert with Pro, and DomainSnip emails new .io matches once a day.
Ask your AI assistant
Connect Claude, ChatGPT or Codex to the DomainSnip MCP server and ask in plain language. Sign in to connect; free accounts receive up to 10 search results. Pro adds pagination, exact-domain lookup and daily alert creation. For example:
Find short .io domains, 6 letters or fewer, with no numbers, under $1,000.
Questions
- Why do tech startups use .io domains?
- In computing, I/O means input/output, so .io reads naturally for technical products. It also has far more short, brandable names available than .com.
- Is .io a country-code domain?
- Yes. .io is the country-code top-level domain for the British Indian Ocean Territory, but anyone can register one regardless of where they live.
- Where can I buy expired .io domains?
- GoDaddy, Dynadot and Namecheap all list .io domains at auction and for a fixed price. DomainSnip searches them together and links each listing to the marketplace.
- Are .io domains more expensive to renew?
- Usually, yes. .io registration and renewal prices are higher than .com at most registrars. Check the renewal price at the marketplace before you buy.
- Does DomainSnip offer an MCP server for AI assistants?
- Yes. DomainSnip offers an authenticated Model Context Protocol (MCP) server at https://www.domainsnip.com/mcp. Compatible clients such as Claude, ChatGPT and Codex can search GoDaddy, Dynadot and Namecheap listings. Sign in and approve access: free accounts receive up to 10 results per search without pagination and can manage a watchlist through MCP; Pro adds paginated search, exact-domain lookup and creation of daily keyword alerts. Client support depends on the app's plan and settings.
Find your next .io domain
Search .io auctions and buy-now listings in one place. Pro is $9.99 a month.
Other extensions
DomainSnip imports listings from each marketplace daily. Prices, bids and end times change, so confirm them on the marketplace before you bid or buy. Extension delegation: IANA .io record.