The long, complex strings of characters that make up a standard Ethereum wallet address are not only cumbersome to share but also prone to human error. A simple mistype can send your crypto assets to the wrong destination, with no way to reverse the transaction.
The solution is the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), which allows you to map a human-readable .eth domain name to your wallet. This guide provides a clear overview of ENS and walks you through the entire process of securing your own .eth identity.
What Is the Ethereum Name Service (ENS)?
The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a distributed, open, and extensible naming system built on the Ethereum blockchain. Its core function is to translate machine-readable data, like lengthy Ethereum addresses (e.g., 0x18ac3a4b...), into simple, human-readable names (e.g., yourname.eth).
Beyond forwarding crypto payments, ENS also supports "reverse resolution." This allows any Ethereum address to have associated metadata, such as a canonical name, an avatar, or other descriptive information. In essence, ENS serves as the Web3 equivalent of the internet's Domain Name System (DNS), but it operates with a decentralized architecture that leverages the security and flexibility of the Ethereum blockchain.
The system uses a hierarchical structure of dot-separated domain names. The owner of any domain has complete control over creating and managing its subdomains. The project began at the Ethereum Foundation in 2017 and became an independent organization in 2018 to further its development.
How Much Does a .eth Domain Name Cost?
The cost to register a .eth domain is an annual fee, payable in ETH. The pricing is tiered based on the length of the name, reflecting the scarcity of shorter names.
- 5+ character names: $5 in ETH per year.
- 4 character names: $160 in ETH per year.
- 3 character names: $640 in ETH per year.
In addition to the annual registration fee, you must also pay a network gas fee to process the transaction on the Ethereum blockchain. Gas fees fluctuate based on network congestion.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Registering Your .eth Domain
The primary platform for registering a new .eth name is the official ENS Manager app. Before you begin, ensure you have an Ethereum wallet like MetaMask installed and funded with enough ETH to cover both the registration and gas fees.
👉 Check real-time registration costs and gas fees
Step 1: Prepare Your Wallet
Install a browser-based Ethereum wallet like MetaMask. Fund it with ETH and ensure your wallet is connected to the Ethereum Mainnet.
Step 2: Connect to the ENS App
Navigate to the official ENS Domains application. Click the "Connect" button to link your Web3 wallet to the dApp.
Step 3: Search for Your Desired Name
Type the .eth name you want into the search bar. The system will immediately show you if it's available.
- Available: A green indicator will appear next to the name.
- Unavailable: A grey indicator will appear. Clicking it will show you the current registration details.
Step 4: Start the Registration
If your name is available, click on it. You will be prompted to choose the registration period (minimum one year). Click "Request To Register" to begin.
Step 5: Approve the First Transaction
A pop-up from your wallet (e.g., MetaMask) will appear. Confirm the transaction. This first step reserves your name and starts a short timer to prevent others from registering it simultaneously.
Step 6: Wait for the Timer
Do not close your browser. Wait for the on-screen timer to count down. Once it finishes, a "Register" button will become active.
Step 7: Complete the Registration
Click the "Register" button and confirm the second transaction in your wallet. After the blockchain confirms this transaction, congratulations—the .eth domain is officially yours!
Step 8: Set Your Primary Address
You can now navigate to the "My Account" section to set your primary Ethereum address for the name. This links your new .eth name to your wallet, allowing others to send funds to you using the simple name.
What to Do If a .eth Name Is Already Taken?
If your desired name is already registered, you have a couple of options. You can try a variation or a different suffix. Alternatively, you can attempt to acquire it from its current owner.
Many owners list their names for sale on secondary NFT marketplaces like OpenSea. Some may also leave contact information (e.g., an email or Twitter handle) in the "Records" tab of their ENS name on the manager app, indicating they are open to offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of a .eth domain?
Its primary purpose is to simplify cryptocurrency transactions by replacing long, complex wallet addresses with a single, easy-to-remember name. It also serves as a universal username across many decentralized applications (dApps).
Can I use any Ethereum wallet to register a .eth name?
Yes, you can use any Web3-compatible wallet that connects to dApps, such as MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or WalletConnect. The wallet must be funded with ETH to pay for gas and registration fees.
Is the registration fee a one-time payment?
No, registering a .eth domain is more like leasing a name for a period of time. You pay an annual renewal fee to maintain ownership. Failure to renew will eventually cause the name to become available for others to register.
What happens if I forget to renew my .eth domain?
After your registration expires, there is a grace period during which only you can renew the name. If you do not renew it during this time, the name is released and becomes available for anyone to register.
Can I create subdomains for my .eth domain?
Yes, absolutely. As the owner of a primary domain (e.g., myname.eth), you have full control to create and manage any number of subdomains (e.g., wallet.myname.eth, blog.myname.eth) for free, without paying additional gas fees to ENS.
Are .eth domains considered NFTs?
Yes, each .eth domain is an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) compliant with the ERC-721 standard. This means you can trade, sell, or transfer ownership of your domain on any NFT marketplace that supports the standard.