.uk Country Code Top-Level Domain

The .uk domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United Kingdom, managed by Nominet, a non-profit organization based in Oxford, England. It was originally delegated in 1985, with the second-level domain .co.uk introduced in 1992 for commercial entities. The domain is one of the earliest and most widely recognized ccTLDs, representing the UK's internet infrastructure. As of 2025, there are over 11 million .uk domain registrations, making it one of the largest ccTLDs globally. The registry operates under a strict policy framework, requiring UK presence for certain categories such as .gov.uk and .ac.uk. The .uk namespace includes several second-level domains: .co.uk for companies, .org.uk for non-profits, .me.uk for individuals, .ltd.uk and .plc.uk for limited companies, .net.uk for ISPs, .sch.uk for schools, and .ac.uk for academic institutions. The domain is critical for UK digital identity, enabling local businesses to establish an online presence. Nominet has implemented modern security measures including DNSSEC and Registration Validation System. The domain has undergone a contentious reform process to allow direct .uk registrations, which launched in 2014. Overall, .uk is vital to the UK's digital economy and internet governance, serving as a trusted namespace for millions of websites.