How to Register .DEV Domain: Step-by-Step Guide

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A .DEV domain is a natural choice for developers, software engineers, technology companies, open-source projects, APIs, documentation sites, coding tools, and personal developer portfolios.

The extension is short, easy to understand, and immediately communicates a connection to development or technology.

For example:

yourname.dev

or:

yourproject.dev

can give a developer or software product a clear, modern online identity.

.DEV is operated by Google Registry and is positioned specifically for developers and technology. It can be used for projects, tools, platforms, programming languages, documentation, blogs, and other things developers build.

This guide explains how to register a .DEV domain, choose a strong name, configure HTTPS, connect the domain to your website, and protect it for the long term.

What Is a .DEV Domain?

A .DEV domain is a generic top-level domain, or gTLD, created for developers and technology-focused websites.

It works particularly well for:

• Software developers
• Software companies
• Developer tools
• APIs
• Open-source projects
• Documentation
• Coding platforms
• SaaS products
• Technology startups
• Developer portfolios
• Programming blogs
• Technical communities

Examples include:

alex.dev

buildkit.dev

cloudtools.dev

yourproject.dev

Because “dev” is widely understood as an abbreviation for developer or development, the extension immediately gives the domain a technical identity.

Who Can Register a .DEV Domain?

.DEV domains have been generally available for public registration since February 28, 2019. You do not need to be a professional developer or prove that you operate a technology company to register one.

A .DEV domain can be registered for uses such as:

• Personal projects
• Business websites
• Developer portfolios
• Open-source software
• Technical documentation
• SaaS products
• Developer communities
• Programming tutorials

The chosen domain must still comply with applicable registration policies, trademarks, and laws.

How to Register a .DEV Domain

Step 1: Decide What Your .DEV Domain Will Represent

Start by deciding how the domain will be used.

Your .DEV domain might represent:

• Your personal developer portfolio
• A software company
• A new application
• A developer tool
• An API
• Technical documentation
• An open-source project
• A programming blog
• A SaaS platform
• A GitHub-related project
• A developer community

The purpose of the domain should guide the name you choose.

Step 2: Choose a Short, Developer-Friendly Name

A strong .DEV domain should usually be:

• Short
• Memorable
• Easy to spell
• Easy to type
• Relevant to the project
• Easy to use in documentation
• Flexible enough for future development

For example:

stackflow.dev

is easier to remember than:

stackflow-software-development-platform.dev

Because .DEV already communicates development and technology, you usually do not need to add words such as “developer” or “development” before the extension.

Step 3: Let the .DEV Extension Do Some of the Work

One advantage of .DEV is that the extension itself communicates what the website is about.

For example:

alex.dev

immediately looks like a developer’s personal website.

Likewise:

docsuite.dev

or:

buildstack.dev

naturally suggests software or developer tools.

Avoid unnecessarily repetitive domains such as:

developerplatform.dev

when a cleaner option such as:

platform.dev

or:

buildplatform.dev

is available.

Step 4: Search for Your .DEV Domain

Use a domain search box to check whether your preferred name is available.

Start with the exact name:

yourname.dev

or:

yourproject.dev

If it is unavailable, try:

• A shorter variation
• A product name
• A natural prefix
• A meaningful suffix
• Your first and last name
• A related development term

For example, if:

nova.dev

is unavailable, alternatives might include:

novalabs.dev

buildnova.dev

novastack.dev

Keep variations natural rather than adding unnecessary words.

Step 5: Check the Matching .COM and Other Extensions

Before registering, check whether your brand exists under other important extensions.

For example:

yourbrand.dev

yourbrand.com

yourbrand.io

yourbrand.ai

yourbrand.tech

.DEV may be especially strong when the website is aimed at developers.

.COM may be better for the broader corporate brand.

.AI may fit an AI-first product.

.IO remains familiar among software and technology companies.

.TECH offers a broader technology identity.

Sometimes a company can use .COM for its main corporate website and .DEV for its developer platform or documentation.

Step 6: Check for Trademark Conflicts

An available domain name is not automatically safe to use.

Before registering, search for:

• Existing companies using the name
• Registered trademarks
• Existing software products
• GitHub projects
• Apps with the same name
• Similar developer tools
• Competitors using similar domains

This is especially important in software, where short product names are frequently reused.

Avoid choosing a domain that could make users believe your project is affiliated with another established company.

Step 7: Choose Your Registration Period

After finding an available .DEV domain, choose the registration term offered by your registrar.

Before paying, review:

• Initial registration price
• Renewal price
• Registration length
• Optional services
• Automatic renewal settings
• Applicable taxes or fees

Pay attention to the regular renewal price rather than only the first-year promotional price.

For an important project or brand, consider registering for multiple years when available.

Step 8: Enter Accurate Registrant Information

During registration, enter accurate contact information.

This may include:

• Your name
• Company name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Mailing address

Use an email address you regularly monitor.

Accurate information is important for:

• Account recovery
• Domain verification
• Renewal notices
• Transfers
• Ownership management

Step 9: Complete the Registration

Before paying, confirm:

• The domain spelling is correct
• The extension is .DEV
• The registration period is correct
• Contact details are accurate
• You understand renewal pricing
• Optional products are intentional

Then complete payment.

The domain should appear in your account after successful registration.

Important: .DEV Requires HTTPS

This is one of the most important differences between .DEV and many other domain extensions.

The entire .DEV top-level domain is included on the HSTS preload list. This means browsers require HTTPS connections to .DEV websites. A properly configured SSL/TLS certificate is therefore essential before a .DEV website can load normally in supported browsers.

In practical terms:

https://yourbrand.dev

is the expected format.

You should not plan to run a .DEV website only through:

http://yourbrand.dev

What Is HSTS?

HSTS stands for HTTP Strict Transport Security.

It tells browsers that a website should only be accessed through encrypted HTTPS connections.

Because .DEV is preloaded for HSTS at the top-level domain level, secure HTTPS connections are effectively built into the namespace.

This provides an important security advantage—but it also means you need to configure your SSL certificate correctly from the start.

What to Do After Registering a .DEV Domain

Set Up Your SSL Certificate First

Before launching the website publicly, configure SSL.

Many modern hosting providers offer:

• Free SSL certificates
• Automatic SSL installation
• Automatic certificate renewal

Once configured, your website should load using:

https://yourproject.dev

Test the HTTPS version before publishing or promoting the domain.

Connect the Domain to Your Website

A .DEV domain can be connected to:

• Web hosting
• VPS hosting
• Cloud servers
• Static site hosting
• SaaS applications
• Documentation platforms
• Custom applications
• Developer portals

Your hosting provider will normally provide DNS records or nameservers.

Configure DNS

Common DNS records include:

Record	Purpose
A	Points the domain to an IPv4 address
AAAA	Points the domain to an IPv6 address
CNAME	Points one hostname to another
MX	Directs email
TXT	Used for verification and authentication
NS	Defines authoritative nameservers

Make DNS changes carefully because incorrect settings can interrupt websites, APIs, or email.

Set Up Professional Email

A .DEV domain can also be used for professional email.

Examples include:

hello@yourproject.dev

support@yourproject.dev

dev@yourbrand.dev

team@yourbrand.dev

For a developer portfolio, a short email such as:

me@alex.dev

can be particularly memorable.

Enable Automatic Renewal

Developer projects can grow quickly, and losing an established domain can be costly.

Protect the domain by:

• Enabling automatic renewal
• Keeping your payment method current
• Maintaining an active contact email
• Watching renewal notices
• Keeping account recovery details current

Secure Your Registrar Account

Use:

• A strong unique password
• Two-factor authentication
• A secure recovery email
• Domain locking
• Transfer locking when available

Your registrar account controls your domain, so protect it carefully.

Best Uses for a .DEV Domain

Developer Portfolios

A personal .DEV domain is an excellent fit for developers.

For example:

james.dev

can host:

• Your résumé
• GitHub projects
• Portfolio work
• Technical writing
• Contact details
• Open-source contributions

The extension communicates your profession immediately.

Developer Tools

A software tool designed for developers can use .DEV to make its audience clear.

For example:

buildtools.dev

or:

debug.dev

can communicate a strong technical identity.

Documentation

.DEV works particularly well for documentation websites.

For example:

productdocs.dev

or a dedicated developer portal can provide:

• API references
• SDK documentation
• Code examples
• Integration guides
• Developer tutorials

APIs

An API-first product can use .DEV for developer resources or technical documentation.

A company might operate:

yourbrand.com

for its main website and:

yourbrand.dev

for its developer ecosystem.

Open-Source Projects

.DEV can also work well for:

• Libraries
• Frameworks
• Programming languages
• Community projects
• GitHub-based software

Google Registry specifically positions .DEV as a home for developer projects, documentation, platforms, tools, and related technical work.

Tips for Choosing a Great .DEV Domain

Keep It Short

Developers type URLs frequently.

Short domains work well in:

• Documentation
• Command-line instructions
• READMEs
• Code examples
• Email addresses
• Developer communities

For example:

flux.dev

is easier to use than:

flux-development-platform-tools.dev

Make It Easy to Spell

A developer domain may be shared in:

• GitHub repositories
• Documentation
• Slack
• Discord
• Terminal commands
• Presentations

Avoid names that require constant spelling explanations.

Avoid Unnecessary Hyphens

Whenever possible:

stackflow.dev

is cleaner than:

stack-flow.dev

Hyphens are not inherently bad, but simple domains are easier to type.

Think Beyond the First Project

Suppose your domain begins as documentation for one tool.

Later, the project may expand into:

• APIs
• SDKs
• Plugins
• Infrastructure
• Developer services
• Community resources

Choose a name broad enough to support future development.

What If Your Preferred .DEV Domain Is Taken?

If the name is unavailable, consider:

• Your full name
• A product variation
• A short prefix
• A meaningful suffix
• A technical term
• Another relevant extension

For example, if:

orbit.dev

is taken, you might consider:

orbithub.dev

buildorbit.dev

orbitstack.dev

or another suitable brand.

Avoid making the domain unnecessarily long simply to obtain an available registration.

Should You Register Both .DEV and .COM?

If your brand is important and both names are available, registering both can be useful.

For example:

yourbrand.com

and:

yourbrand.dev

You might use:

.COM for:

• Main corporate website
• Sales
• Marketing
• Company information

and .DEV for:

• API documentation
• Developer tools
• SDKs
• Technical resources
• Open-source projects

This can create a very natural separation between the commercial brand and developer ecosystem.

Is .DEV Good for SEO?

A .DEV website can rank in search engines like other generic domain extensions.

The extension itself does not guarantee higher rankings for development-related searches.

SEO performance depends much more on:

• Helpful content
• Search relevance
• Website authority
• Backlinks
• Technical SEO
• Page speed
• Mobile usability
• HTTPS
• User experience

Choose .DEV because it fits your developer-focused brand and audience—not because you expect the extension itself to improve rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does .DEV stand for?

“DEV” is commonly understood as an abbreviation for developer or development.

Who can register a .DEV domain?

.DEV domains are generally available for public registration. You do not need to prove that you are a developer.

Is .DEV only for developers?

No, but it is strongly positioned toward developers and technology. It is particularly suitable for tools, platforms, documentation, software projects, and technical websites.

Does a .DEV domain require HTTPS?

Yes. .DEV is included on the HSTS preload list, so HTTPS is required for .DEV websites to work properly in browsers.

Do I need an SSL certificate for .DEV?

Yes, if you want to serve a normal website over .DEV, configure a valid SSL/TLS certificate so the site can load over HTTPS.

Can I use .DEV for professional email?

Yes. You can create addresses such as:

hello@yourbrand.dev

Is .DEV better than .COM?

Neither is always better.

.DEV is particularly strong for developer-facing websites, software projects, documentation, APIs, and technical brands.

.COM is more universal and familiar for general businesses.

Should I register both .DEV and .COM?

For a technology company, owning both can be useful. .COM can serve the main business website while .DEV hosts developer resources or technical products.

Can I transfer a .DEV domain?

Yes. A .DEV domain can generally be transferred between registrars, subject to applicable transfer policies and security restrictions.

Register Your .DEV Domain

A .DEV domain can give your developer portfolio, software project, API, SaaS platform, documentation site, or technology business a clear and memorable technical identity.

Choose a short, easy-to-type name, check for potential trademark conflicts, and remember to configure HTTPS before launching your site.

Register a .DEV Domain Now