What is .cat?
.cat is one of the older generic TLDs: ICANN records its delegation as December 20, 2005, long before the 2012 expansion.
Under the hood, the root zone points to 5 name servers for .cat, every one of them reachable over IPv6. The delegation is DNSSEC-signed, so resolvers can verify that answers for .cat haven't been tampered with on the way. Registration data is published over RDAP and WHOIS (the WHOIS server is whois.nic.cat).
.cat FAQ
What does .cat stand for?
.cat stands for "Catalan language and culture". It's one of the older generic TLDs, delegated in 2005.
What is .cat used for?
.cat is mostly used for cities & regions. Like most gTLDs, it's a label of intent rather than a guarantee — check the site, not just the ending.
What country is .cat?
None. .cat is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .cat domain extension?
Fundació puntCAT operates .cat as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .cat created?
.cat was delegated to the DNS root zone on December 20, 2005.
Is .cat a valid domain?
Yes. .cat is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 2005, so .cat addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .cat domain?
.cat names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read Fundació puntCAT's policy if you're unsure.
Is .cat DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .cat.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed January 17, 2025. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
