A domain name is the address people type to visit your website, like yourgroovydomain.com. Use this guide to find the right next step for any domain name task on WordPress.com.

Find your domain names

To see every domain name in your account, visit the Domains section of your Hosting Dashboard. Every domain name you own is listed there, including domain names that are not attached to a site.

About domain names

A domain name tells web browsers where to find your site. Adding a custom domain name gives your site a professional, memorable address.

With an annual, two-year, or three-year plan, you can register a new domain name free for one year or transfer a domain name you already own to WordPress.com. You can also connect a domain name from another provider for free with any paid plan.

If you’re not ready to add a custom domain name, your site includes a .wordpress.com address (or .wpcomstaging.com on plugin-enabled sites) that you can use until you’re ready.

What do you want to do?

Get a new domain name

• Register a new domain name
• Register a domain name without creating a site
• Domain name pricing and available extensions
• Premium domain names
• Domains with Special Policies

Use a domain name I already own

Connect or transfer—which one do I need? Connecting points your existing domain name at WordPress.com while it stays registered with your current provider. Transferring moves the domain name’s registration to WordPress.com so you manage it here. Connect to keep your current registrar; transfer to consolidate everything in one place.

• Connect a domain name to WordPress.com
• Transfer a domain name to WordPress.com
• Check the status of a domain transfer
• Troubleshoot domain transfer issues
• Connect a subdomain to WordPress.com
• Connect a domain name (alternative method)

Instructions for connecting a domain name from specific providers like GoDaddy, Wix, and more:

• Bluehost
• Crazy Domains
• Network Solutions
• DreamHost
• GoDaddy
• HostGator
• Hostinger
• Namecheap
• Squarespace
• Wix

Manage DNS, name servers, and SSL

• Manage DNS records
• Change a domain name’s name servers
• Secure your domain name with SSL
• Set up email authentication for your domain name
• Enable DNSSEC on WordPress.com
• Manage your domain name’s glue records

Set up your primary domain name, email, and privacy

• Set your site’s primary domain name
• Add an email address to your domain name
• Verify your domain name contact information
• Understand domain name privacy and data sharing
• Enable or disable privacy protection

Renew, cancel, or update billing

• Manage your purchases, payment methods, and renewals
• Renew a domain name
• Cancel and refund a domain name
• Recover an expired or canceled domain name
• Change a domain name address

Move or transfer a domain name

Move within WordPress.com:

• Transfer a domain name to another site
• Transfer a domain name to another account
• Detach a domain name from a site
• Attach a domain name to a site
• Transfer an already-connected domain name to WordPress.com

Move away from WordPress.com:

• Transfer a domain name to another registrar
• Point a domain name to an external IP address
• Forward a domain name
• Connect a subdomain to an external site
• Redirect a WordPress.com site address

Troubleshoot a domain issue

• Domain name or site not working: see Troubleshooting domain errors.
• Problem transferring a domain name to WordPress.com: see Troubleshoot domain transfer issues.
• Transfer still pending: see Check the status of a domain transfer.
• Domain name expired, canceled, or deleted: see Recover an expired or canceled domain name.
• Domain name shows as “not secure”: see When does SSL activate after I connect a domain name? below.
• Changes to a domain name not showing yet: see Clear the DNS cache.
• Login or account access issues: see Account recovery.

Common domain questions

When does SSL activate after I connect a domain name?

SSL activates within 24 to 72 hours after you connect or transfer a domain name. During this window, browsers may show a “not secure” warning or display a certificate error. This is normal during SSL provisioning—wait up to 72 hours, then check your SSL status. If the warning persists after 72 hours, contact support.

What is a primary domain name, and how do I change it?

Your primary domain name is the main address visitors see in their browser when they visit your site. If you have more than one domain name connected to a site, only one can be the primary domain name—the others redirect to it. To change it, see Set your site’s primary domain name.

What’s the difference between removing a domain name and canceling it?

Removing a domain name detaches it from your site but keeps your registration active. Canceling a domain name ends your ownership of the domain name itself. To use a domain name on a different site, detach it. To stop paying for and owning the domain name, cancel it.

Do I need to use “www” in my domain name?

No. WordPress.com handles both yourgroovydomain.com and www.yourgroovydomain.com automatically—visitors reach your site either way. Your primary domain name setting decides which version visitors see in their browser. For details, see Set your site’s primary domain name.

Why is my domain name transfer still pending?

Most domain name transfers take three to seven days to complete. Check where yours stands in the Domains section of your Hosting Dashboard, where the Status column shows its current state. If your transfer has been pending for more than seven business days, see Troubleshoot domain transfer issues.

Can I get my domain name back after it expired or I canceled it?

Sometimes, depending on how long ago it happened. During the grace period of about 10 days to two weeks, you can renew the domain name at the regular price. After that it enters a redemption period, where recovering it costs an additional redemption fee. Once the domain name is released, anyone can register it. For the full sequence, see Recover an expired or canceled domain name.