What Is ENS and What Is It Used For?
Your Ethereum address, easy to remember
Ethereum addresses are long strings of characters that are difficult to remember and share.
ENS lets you associate an address with a readable name like powerlifting.eth.
ENS USES
What is an .eth domain used for?
ENS turns easy-to-remember names into a way to find addresses and other data associated with a digital identity.
Its usefulness depends on the configured records and on whether each wallet, browser, or application is compatible.
Receive cryptocurrency
Share a name like maria.eth instead of a long address. A compatible wallet can look up the associated address.
entrenador.eth → Ethereum address
Digital identity
Display a recognizable name in applications that support ENS, rather than identifying yourself only by a hexadecimal address.
Profile: lerie.eth
Profile and public data
Add text records, such as a description, avatar, or social links, for compatible applications to look up.
Avatar, bio, and links
Subdomains for teams
Organize people or services using names subordinate to the main domain, with the permissions allowed by its configuration.
pagos.stradivarius.eth
Decentralized content
Associate a content record with resources such as those hosted on IPFS. Access requires compatible tools.
An ENS name that points to content on IPFS
Businesses and communities
Use consistent names to identify an organization's wallets, members, and services.
tesoreria.torrevieja.eth
ENS is not a wallet, and an .eth domain does not store cryptocurrency. Before sending funds, verify the exact name, resolved address, asset, and network.
Explore ENS names by category
Discover names related to numbers, surnames, artificial intelligence, and other topics.
ENS DOMAIN PRICES
How much does it cost to register an .eth domain?
The base price depends on the name's length and the number of years selected. Shorter names cost more, and registrations must be renewed.
Distinguish current ENSv1 fees from the terms announced for ENSv2; confirm the protocol's status before paying.
Annual base fees by name length
| Name length | ENSv1: USD per year | ENSv2: USD per year (announced) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 año | 2 años | 3 años | 4 años | 5 años | 6 años | ||
| 3 characters | |||||||
| 4 characters | |||||||
| 5 or more characters | |||||||
Multi-year discounts on ENSv2
The terms announced for ENSv2 lower the effective price when you register or renew for multiple full years in a single transaction.
1 year: no discount.
2 years: 12.5% discount.
3 to 5 years: 31.25% discount.
6 years or more: 43.75% discount.
ENSv2 · announced rates, not necessarily active
Discounts do not eliminate possible surcharges for recently released names.
What other costs may apply?
Network fees
With ENSv1, you should account for Ethereum transaction fees. ENSv2 payment and gas terms depend on the application and the operation.
Surcharge for released domains
A recently released name may have an additional, decreasing surcharge on top of the base fee.
Conversion and payment methods
Reference fees are quoted in USD, but the asset used for payment and its conversion depend on the version and service.
Amounts are estimates. Check the final price and availability in the official application before confirming a transaction.
Check availability on ENS
ENSV1 AND ENSV2
ENSv1 vs. ENSv2: key differences
ENSv2 is an evolution of the Ethereum Name Service architecture designed to offer more flexible name and permission management.
The announced changes include new registries, tools, payment options, and renewal terms.
Is ENSv2 available?
Don’t confuse test environments with the launch on Ethereum Mainnet. Check the official status before migrating a name or assuming the new fees are active.
ENSv1 and ENSv2 comparison
| Feature | ENSv1 | ENSv2 (planned) |
|---|---|---|
| Registries | Shared registry. | Individual registries for each name to organize subnames. |
| Permissions | Management through current mechanisms, including Name Wrapper. | More flexible roles for delegating tasks. |
| Fees | Length-based fees with no multi-year discounts. | New fee for names with five or more characters and multi-year discounts. |
| Payments | Registration and renewal in ETH. | Announced support for compatible tokens, including stablecoins. |
| Grace period | 90 days. | 28 days. |
| Resolution during the grace period | The name continues to resolve. | The name stops resolving until it is renewed. |
| Management | Current ENS tools. | ENS App and ENS Explorer. |
Independent registries and subnames
The announced architecture makes it easier to organize subnames under individual registries and delegate their management.
Permissions for teams and organizations
Roles let you distribute management tasks without necessarily granting full control of a name.
ENS App and ENS Explorer
ENS App is designed for everyday tasks. ENS Explorer offers advanced management features.
Do I need to migrate my domain?
Migration of existing names is presented as optional. Before proceeding, check the official terms and your configuration’s compatibility.
Be wary of messages demanding urgent migrations or wallet signatures. Use only verified official links.
RENEWAL AND EXPIRATION
What happens when an ENS domain expires?
.eth domains have an expiration date. After it, a grace period begins during which they can still be renewed.
The duration and behavior of this period differ between ENSv1 and ENSv2.
Expiration in ENSv1
ENSv1 provides a 90-day grace period. During this period, the name can be renewed and continues to resolve, although some management operations are restricted.
Expiration in ENSv2
ENSv2 announces a 28-day grace period. The name can be renewed during this period, but stops resolving until it is renewed.
Why are 62 days added during migration?
The announced migration of an existing name adds 62 days to its expiration date to offset the reduction in the grace period from 90 to 28 days.
62 additional days + 28-day grace period = 90 days.
This equivalence refers to the expected final date, provided there are no other renewals or changes.
Visualize expiration dates
ENSv1: original expiration and a 90-day grace period.
ENSv2: expiration extended by 62 days and a 28-day grace period.
Example of a migration
If a name originally expired on January 1, the announced mechanism adds 62 days to its expiration date, followed by a 28-day grace period. This preserves a final date equivalent to that of the original 90-day period.
What happens when the grace period ends?
The name can be registered again by someone else. During an initial 21-day phase, a decreasing surcharge may apply on top of the base price.
Once the grace period ends, the former registrant is not guaranteed to recover the name.
Renew before it expires
Check the expiration date and renew in advance to avoid interruptions and the risk of losing the name.
Check an ENS domain
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions about ENS and .eth domains
Answers to common questions about what ENS is, how it is used, how much it costs, and how to renew.
What does ENS mean?
ENS stands for Ethereum Name Service. It is a naming system that lets you associate readable names with blockchain addresses and other records.
What is an .eth domain?
It is a name in ENS's .eth namespace that can be linked to addresses, profiles, and other data. It is not automatically equivalent to a traditional DNS web domain.
Do I need a wallet to register an ENS name?
To control an .eth name directly, you need a compatible address. The specific process depends on the application used.
How do I register an ENS domain?
Search for the name in the official application, check its availability and price, connect a compatible wallet, and follow the registration steps.
Can I register an .eth domain for free?
Registering .eth names usually incurs a fee. Don't confuse promotions or third-party services with permanent free registration.
How much does an ENS domain cost per year?
In ENSv1, the base fees are USD 5 for names with five or more characters, USD 160 for four characters, and USD 640 for three. ENSv2 announces a fee of USD 8 for names with five or more characters and discounts for multiple years.
Is an ENS domain permanent?
No. .eth names from the usual registrar have an expiration date and must be renewed to keep them.
How do I renew an .eth domain?
Look up the name in the official ENS application, select the renewal period, and check the amount before confirming.
What is the ENS grace period?
It is the period after expiration during which you can still renew the name before someone else can register it as a new name. ENSv1 provides for 90 days, while ENSv2 announces 28.
What happens if I don't renew my ENS name?
The grace period begins after expiration. If it ends without a renewal, someone else can register the name again.
Why can an expired ENS name cost more?
Some recently released names have a temporary, decreasing surcharge for 21 days, in addition to their base fee.
What is ENSv2?
It is an evolution of ENS that introduces changes to records, roles, management tools, and economic terms.
Will prices increase with ENSv2?
The announced base fee for names of five or more characters will increase from USD 5 to USD 8 per year. Fees for three- and four-character names will remain unchanged, and multi-year discounts will be added.
How do ENSv2 discounts work?
The announced terms offer discounts when purchasing several full years in a single transaction, reaching 43.75% for six years or more.
Is migrating to ENSv2 mandatory?
Migrating existing names is presented as optional. Check the official terms before changing your configuration.
Can I migrate a domain during the grace period?
The announced documentation requires you to renew a name that is in the grace period before upgrading it to ENSv2.
What are ENS subnames?
They are names subordinate to another ENS name, such as payments.company.eth, which let you organize users or services according to the configured permissions.
Can I sell an .eth domain?
An ENS name can be transferred when its status and permissions allow it. The ability to sell it does not guarantee demand or a resale price.
Is ENS the same as a .com domain?
No. ENS and DNS are different systems, although there are mechanisms for integrating them. A .eth name alone does not guarantee a website will be accessible from any browser.
Is it safe to send cryptocurrency to an ENS name?
Use a compatible wallet and verify the resolved address, exact name, asset, and network. ENS does not eliminate phishing or impersonation risks.
Discover ENS names
Explore categories, compare names, and learn how they can be used.