Type
Generic
All TLDs / .gov
What is .gov?
The short answer
.gov is a generic top-level domain, operated by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. It's live in the official IANA DNS root zone and open for public registration through accredited registrars — anyone can register a .gov domain if the name is available.Source: IANA root zone database, checked October 18, 2026.
Is .gov a real domain extension?
Yes — .gov is a real top-level domain. It's present in the official IANA DNS root zone, which is the authoritative list of every live TLD on the internet.
Who runs .gov?
.gov is operated by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, per the IANA root database.
What is .gov used for?
As an open generic extension, .gov can be registered by anyone for any kind of website — there are no topic restrictions unless the registry sets a specific policy.
Can anyone register a .gov domain?
Yes — .gov is open for public registration through accredited registrars. Whether a specific name is available depends on whether someone already owns it.