WHOIS
Lookup an IP or domain. Uses IANA referral first, then registry WHOIS.
### IANA response (whois.iana.org) % IANA WHOIS server % for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org % This query returned 1 object refer: whois.afrinic.net inetnum: 197.0.0.0 - 197.255.255.255 organisation: AFRINIC status: ALLOCATED whois: whois.afrinic.net changed: 2008-10 source: IANA ### Registry response (whois.afrinic.net) % This is the AfriNIC Whois server. % The AFRINIC whois database is subject to the following terms of Use. See https://afrinic.net/whois/terms % Note: this output has been filtered. % To receive output for a database update, use the "-B" flag. % Information related to '197.234.223.0 - 197.234.223.255' % No abuse contact registered for 197.234.223.0 - 197.234.223.255 inetnum: 197.234.223.0 - 197.234.223.255 netname: MTNB_197_234_223 descr: MTNB_197_234_223 country: BJ admin-c: EI3-AFRINIC admin-c: ED7-AFRINIC tech-c: EI3-AFRINIC tech-c: ED7-AFRINIC status: ASSIGNED PA mnt-by: Spacetel-MNT source: AFRINIC # Filtered parent: 197.234.216.0 - 197.234.223.255 person: Eric DEGBOEVI nic-hdl: ED7-AFRINIC address: 360 Boulevard Rue de la Marina address: 01BP5293 Cotnou address: Cotonou address: Benin phone: tel:+229-97-97-00-01 phone: tel:+229-0197978970 mnt-by: GENERATED-CBCNYOQNFWLCWLCSV4DS9M1QBOOWQW76-MNT source: AFRINIC # Filtered person: Ernest ISSA address: 360 Boulevard Rue de la Marina 01 BP 5293 Cotonou address: Cotonou address: Benin phone: tel:+229-97-97-79-68 nic-hdl: EI3-AFRINIC mnt-by: GENERATED-WI7KJJ7PE7RDBDLZBVJLCFGUNNZX7NMY-MNT source: AFRINIC # Filtered
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WHOIS?
WHOIS is a protocol that queries databases to find the registered owner of a domain name or IP address. It reveals the registrar, registration dates, nameservers, and contact information associated with a domain or IP block.
Is WHOIS data always accurate?
Not always. Many domain registrars offer WHOIS privacy protection that replaces the registrant's personal details with proxy information. IP WHOIS data from Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) is generally more reliable than domain WHOIS data.
Can I use WHOIS to find who owns an IP address?
Yes. Enter any IP address into the WHOIS tool to find the organization that owns the IP block, the Regional Internet Registry (ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, etc.) that allocated it, and the network range it belongs to.
What is the difference between domain WHOIS and IP WHOIS?
Domain WHOIS shows registration details like the registrar, creation date, expiry date, and nameservers. IP WHOIS shows the network allocation, the organization that owns the IP block, and the abuse contact for reporting issues.
Why does WHOIS show privacy protection instead of real details?
Domain registrars offer WHOIS privacy services to protect registrants from spam, identity theft, and unwanted contact. GDPR regulations in Europe also require redaction of personal data from WHOIS records.
How often is WHOIS data updated?
WHOIS data is updated by the registrar or registry whenever changes are made to a domain or IP registration. Our tool queries the authoritative WHOIS server in real-time, with results cached for 7 days to reduce server load.
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