What does .org mean?
Registry operator: Public Interest Registry (PIR) — per the IANA root database.
Source: IANA root zone database, checked August 23, 2026.
What .org is actually used for
Wikipedia, Mozilla, Signal — .org carries a moral seriousness no other TLD has. Use it if the mission is the product. Don't use it to make a startup look charitable; people notice.
Is .org a country code or generic domain?
.org is a generic top-level domain (gTLD), not tied to any country. It's available to register through accredited registrars worldwide.
Who runs .org?
.org is operated by Public Interest Registry (PIR). It has been live in the official IANA DNS root since 1985.
Can anyone register a .org domain?
Yes — .org is open for public registration through accredited registrars. Availability of a specific name still depends on whether someone already owns it. Here’s how to check whether a specific name is taken.
Should you use it?
Our short answer: The trust TLD. Unbeatable for nonprofits, open source, and communities — misplaced on a for-profit startup. For the full pros, cons, and rating, read the complete .org review.