Also known as a country code top-level domain (ccTLD), a country-specific domain extension is an internet top-level domain generally used or reserved for sites based within a country, sovereign state, or dependent territory that identifies with a country code.
Not all domains end in .com, .org, or .edu. If the website does not end in these generic top-level domains (gTLDs), it’s likely the website is hosted on a server in another country, or the origin of business is in another country. Different countries use different suffixes, but all only consist of two letters.
If you encounter a website with a unique two-letter domain extension starting anywhere between A – E, look here for its country equivalent. We’ve created a list of different country domain extensions and their corresponding countries sorted alphabetically according to the file extension.
Characteristics of a ccTLD
Each country has its own domain extension specified by the International Organization for Standards that consists of two characters. The first ccTLDs were delegated to the United States (.us), United Kingdom (.uk), and Italy (.it) in 1985.
Most ccTLDs are allocated to nations or states. In most cases, the government itself determines the policies for its ccTLD and appoints a registry operator (meaning an institution) to enforce them. The registry operator manages the top level domain by running and maintaining the hardware (the name server infrastructure) needed to answer queries for its part of the hierarchy, meaning the domain.
Here are a few examples of registry operators countries have delegated to enforce their ccTLD:
- Barbados (.bb) and Finland (.fi) have government ministry operators
- Yemen (.ye) and San Marino (.sm) have telecom operators
- Chile (.cl) and the Bahamas (.bs) have university operators
- Austria (.at) and Greenland (.gs) have private company operators
- Belgium (.be) and New Zealand (.nz) have nonprofit operators
ICANN
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the company that regulates the allocation of all ccTLDs. It assumes responsibility for IP address space allocation, protocol parameter assignment, domain name system management, and root server system management functions previously performed under U.S. Government contract.
ccTLDs beginning with letters A-E
| Domain Extension | Country |
|---|---|
| a | (unknown) |
| bitnet | (unknown) |
| ac | United Kingdom academic institutions |
| ad | Andorra |
| ae | United Arab Emirates |
| af | Afghanistan |
| ag | Antigua and Barbuda |
| ai | Anguilla |
| al | Albania |
| am | Armenia |
| an | Netherlands Antilles |
| ao | Angola |
| aq | Antarctica |
| ar | Argentina |
| as | American Samoa |
| at | Austria |
| au | Australia |
| aw | Aruba |
| az | Azerbaijan |
| ba | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| bb | Barbados |
| bd | Bangladesh |
| be | Belgium |
| bf | Burkina Faso |
| bg | Bulgaria |
| bh | Bahrain |
| bi | Burundi |
| bj | Benin |
| bm | Bermuda |
| bn | Brunei Darussalam |
| bo | Bolivia |
| br | Brazil |
| bs | Bahamas |
| bt | Bhutan |
| bv | Bouvet Island |
| bw | Botswana |
| by | Belarus |
| bz | Belize |
| ca | Canada |
| cc | Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
| cf | Central African Republic |
| cg | Congo |
| ch | Switzerland |
| ci | Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) |
| ck | Cook Islands |
| cl | Chile |
| cm | Cameroon |
| cn | China |
| co | Colombia |
| com | US Commercial |
| cr | Costa Rica |
| cs | Czechoslovakia (former) |
| cu | Cuba |
| cv | Cape Verde |
| cx | Christmas Island |
| cy | Cyprus |
| cz | Czech Republic |
| de | Germany |
| dj | Djibouti |
| dk | Denmark |
| dm | Dominica |
| do | Dominican Republic |
| dz | Algeria |
| ec | Ecuador |
| edu | US Educational |
| ee | Estonia |
| eg | Egypt |
| eh | Western Sahara |
| er | Eritrea |
| es | Spain |
| et | Ethiopia |
For more country-specific domain extensions, visit our other comprehensive lists:
- ccTLDs for countries beginning with letters F-L
- ccTLDs for countries beginning with letters M-R
- ccTLDs for countries beginning with letters S-Z
Top Domain Name Providers
Note: The list below contains affiliate links. Webopedia may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
1. Domain.com 
Domain.com has expanded from only offering domain name registration to offering a variety of web hosting services, such as shared, e-commerce, and VPS hosting options. Along with a 99 percent uptime guarantee and 24/7 customer support, Domain.com offers public access to a knowledge base that covers all the basics of hosting accounts, access, and passwords. Users can buy a domain name with a wide range of popular top level domains (TLDs) and over 25 country code top level domains (ccTLDs). Pricing starts with an entry-level package and ranges up to an ultra-level package.
2. Bluehost 
Bluehost is a website hosting and domain name provider that offers a full range of hosting and domain name services. It provides marketing training, SEO services, social media marketing, content creation, graphic design services, email, domain names, and local business listings. Bluehost is great for businesses of all sizes from new bloggers to established enterprises. Web pages are functional, stable, and attractive. Pricing is billed annually with four pricing tiers that increase in features along with the price.
3. Namecheap
Namecheap offers inexpensive domain names along with reliable service. Along with the ability to register a domain name and create an online identity, Namecheap offers shared, WordPress, reseller, VPS, and dedicated hosting services. Users get a secure, private email connected to their domain that is complete with business tools and a calendar. Security features include two-factor authentication (2FA), low-cost SSL certificates, and PremiumDNS. Domain registration and hosting services are billed annually.
4. NameSilo
NameSilo is a domain registration tool that focuses purely on domain registration and management. Registration is clean, fast, and easy. NameSilo offers free WHOIS privacy, API access, customizable packing options, and DNS management. If you already have an existing domain name, it can be transferred to NameSilo in exchange for a year added on to your expiration date, included in your transfer price.
5. Hover
Hover makes it easy to find and register a domain name that works best for your business. It provides the tools needed to manage your domain, email, and DNS. WHOIS privacy is included with every domain name, and security features such as two-factor authentication (2FA) help to keep your domain safe. Professional email addresses can be added on with features such as private and add-free mail, mail forwarding, vacation autoresponder, and built-in anti-spam/virus.
6. Dynadot
Dynadot comes with a free website builder that allows users to build an attractive website upon registering a domain. Features include a control panel designed specifically for domain management, account security capabilities such as account lock and two-factor authentication (2FA), and a domain management API. The Dynadot Marketplace is great for users who are interested in buying, selling, or bidding on domains. Pricing is tier-based.
Related Webopedia Articles
Registering a Domain Name
Understanding Internet Governance
Countries and Their Domain Extensions
UPDATE: This article was updated in 2022 by Shelby Hiter
