What is .forum?
.forum entered the DNS root zone on July 1, 2015, 11 years ago. It came out of ICANN's New gTLD Program, the 2012 application round that grew the root from 22 generic TLDs to well over a thousand.
Waterford Limited also runs 3 other TLDs, including .click, .love and .realty.
On the technical side, .forum is served by 4 authoritative name servers, every one of them reachable over IPv6. It is also DNSSEC-signed: the root zone carries a DS record for .forum, which lets validating resolvers check its answers cryptographically. Registration data is published over RDAP and WHOIS (the WHOIS server is whois.registry.click).
Same registry, other endings
3 other TLDs share this operator.
.forum FAQ
What does .forum mean?
.forum is a generic top-level domain named for the word "forum", and it's aimed at media, news & content. It doesn't belong to any country.
What is .forum used for?
.forum is mostly used for media, news & content. Like most gTLDs, it's a label of intent rather than a guarantee — check the site, not just the ending.
What country is .forum?
None. .forum is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .forum domain extension?
Waterford Limited operates .forum as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .forum created?
.forum was delegated to the DNS root zone on July 1, 2015.
Is .forum a valid domain?
Yes. .forum is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 2015, so .forum addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .forum domain?
.forum names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read Waterford Limited's policy if you're unsure.
Is .forum DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .forum.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed December 18, 2025. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
