.ch ccTLD
.ch is the country-code top-level domain for Switzerland. It is derived from 'Confoederatio Helvetica', the Latin name for Switzerland, and is managed by SWITCH, the Swiss Education & Research Network. Originally delegated in 1987, it is widely used by Swiss businesses, organizations, and individuals seeking a local online presence.
Domain names cannot start or end with a hyphen, nor contain a hyphen as the third and fourth character. Must be between 3 and 63 characters. Acceptable characters include a-z, 0-9, hyphens, and accented Latin characters such as á, ë, ñ, ø, ü, etc. SWITCH may refuse registration if the name violates public order, moral standards, applicable law, or is reserved by the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM).
.ch Domain Overview
The .ch extension is a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) in the Domain Name System (DNS). It is managed by SWITCH The Swiss Education & Research Network. .ch was introduced in 1987. There are currently 2,582,881 domains registered under this extension. Registration prices start from USD 8.78. DNSSEC adoption stands at 53.0%.
Registration Info
Price range based on 1 registrar. Actual prices may vary.
Security Features
- DNSSEC
- CAA Record Support
Where to Register a .ch Domain — Price Comparison
Compare .ch domain registration and renewal prices across 1 registrar. Prices are in USD and updated daily.
| Registrar | Registration | Renewal | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| dynadot | $8.78 | $8.78 | $0.00 |
Prices checked May 27, 2026. Prices exclude ICANN fees where applicable and may vary by registrar promotions or contract terms.
What Is the History of .ch?
.ch was delegated on May 20, 1987, and is among the earliest country-code TLDs still in active use. Managed since its inception by SWITCH, it reflects Switzerland’s commitment to neutrality and technical excellence in internet infrastructure. Unlike many ccTLDs, .ch does not require local presence for registration, making it accessible globally while still strongly associated with Swiss identity.
Did you know?
The .ch TLD serves a specific purpose in the domain ecosystem, providing users with clear context about the websites using this extension.
What Is .ch Used For?
The .ch TLD is commonly used for the following purposes:
Swiss businesses and organizations
Local e-commerce sites
Professional services (lawyers, doctors, consultants)
Swiss cultural and educational institutions
International entities targeting Swiss audiences
Popular Websites
How Many .ch Domains Are Registered?
Total Registrations
2,582,881
DNSSEC Adoption
53.0%
How Does .ch Compare?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Extension | .ch |
| Type | Country Code TLD (ccTLD) |
| Total Registrations | 2,582,881 |
| DNSSEC Adoption | 53.0% |
| Registration Price | USD 8.78 |
| Renewal Price | USD 8.78 |
| Registry Operator | SWITCH The Swiss Education & Research Network |
| Introduced | 1987-05-20 |
| Restrictions | Domain names cannot start or end with a hyphen, nor contain a hyphen as the third and fourth character. Must be between 3 and 63 characters. Acceptable characters include a-z, 0-9, hyphens, and accented Latin characters such as á, ë, ñ, ø, ü, etc. SWITCH may refuse registration if the name violates public order, moral standards, applicable law, or is reserved by the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM). |
How Available Are .ch Domain Names?
Registration density analysis for .ch domains by character length. Currently 1,496,809 domains are registered across all lengths.
Total Registered
1.5M
Peak Saturation
>99.9%
3-char names
DNSSEC Adoption
52.5%
Top Provider
GoDaddy
| Length | Registered | % Full | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 chars | 29 | 4.3% | |
| 3 chars | 22,500 | >99.9% | |
| 4 chars | 63,467 | 13.9% | |
| 5 chars | 93,331 | 0.79% | |
| 6 chars | 137,356 | 0.04% | |
| 7 chars | 164,521 | <0.01% | |
| 8 chars | 190,706 | <0.01% | |
| 9 chars | 204,504 | <0.01% | |
| 10 chars | 211,967 | <0.01% | |
| 11 chars | 208,933 | <0.01% | |
| 12 chars | 199,495 | <0.01% |
Top DNS Providers
Updated daily from zone file analysis. Alpha density = registered / 26^length.
Compare across all TLDs →How Do I Register a .ch Domain?
Eligibility
No local presence required. Domain names must be 3-63 characters, cannot start/end with a hyphen, and cannot have a hyphen as the third and fourth character. Must use only allowed characters (a-z, 0-9, hyphens, and approved accented characters). Registered through accredited registrars only.
Open Registration
The .ch TLD is available for registration through accredited domain registrars.
Registration Process
- Choose an accredited domain registrar that offers .ch domains
- Check domain availability using the registrar's search tool
- Complete the registration process and provide required information
- Pay the registration fee (typically USD 8.78)
- Manage your domain settings through your registrar's control panel
.ch vs Related Domain Extensions
How does .ch compare to similar top-level domains? This comparison covers pricing, type, and availability to help choose the right domain extension.
View the full TLD Directory to browse all 1,900+ top-level domains with pricing, registration density analysis, and DNSSEC adoption rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Is This .ch Data Compiled?
DNS Checker maintains a comprehensive TLD directory covering all 1,900+ active top-level domains. The data on this page combines multiple authoritative sources to provide information not found in standard TLD listings.
Zone File Analysis
Domain registration counts and density analysis are computed daily from TLD zone files, providing accurate registration statistics rather than estimates.
DNSSEC Adoption Tracking
DNSSEC deployment percentages are measured by scanning actual DNS records across all registered domains in each TLD zone.
Registrar Price Monitoring
Registration, renewal, and transfer prices are checked hourly across multiple accredited registrars and compared automatically.
Provider Market Share
DNS provider distribution is calculated from nameserver records, showing which hosting providers serve the most domains in each TLD.
Use DNS Checker tools to inspect any .ch domain: run a full DNS health check, check DNS propagation, look up WHOIS records, or verify email authentication.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is sourced from IANA, ICANN, and respective registry operator publications, then structured and formatted with the assistance of AI. While accuracy is a priority, details such as pricing, registration requirements, and policies may change. Always verify with the official registry or an accredited registrar before making registration decisions.