Domains: What is a registry, registrar and registrant ?

This article provides you with information regarding domains terminology.

When you register a domain there are always three parties involved; the registry, registrar and registrant. Below we explain what their roles are. 

Registry

The registry is responsible for the overall administration of a top-level domain (TLD). They set the policies for the domain, manage the registrations and generate the zone file.

A registry can manage multiple domains, like ZACR for .co.za  and .org.za, or just one domain like SIDN for .nl. 

Registrar

The registrar is the middleman. It is an accredited organization that registers a domain with a registry, on behalf of the registrant. This would be 1-grid's role.

1-grid is a registrar for a number of TLDs, among others, .online, .co.za and .africa domains. 

Registrant

The registrant is the registered name holder of a domain. This person or entity owns the rights to use the domain for their website and email, as long as they pay the domain fee every year.

When you host a domain at 1-grid, you are the registrant.

TIP: Should you require more information please see our more in depth article on domain name terminology here.