Convert Internationalized Domain Names instantly. Our Punycode converter online translates Unicode characters into DNS-safe ASCII strings to prevent errors.
AI Overview
Punycode is a way of representing Unicode domains (like Arabic or Chinese scripts) using only the standard English character set. This is necessary because the Domain Name System (DNS) only supports a limited set of letters and numbers. Punycode domains always start with the xn-- prefix.
The global internet uses many languages, but the systems that route traffic (like DNS servers) were designed for basic English text. A Punycode converter online is essential for developers and IT admins who need to set up DNS records or SSL certificates for domains containing non-English characters.
Usage Tip: If your domain has special characters like ü, é, or Chinese symbols, you must use the xn-- version in your server configuration files to avoid "Invalid Host" errors.
Cybercriminals use Look-Alike Domains to steal data. For example, a "Cyrillic a" looks exactly like a "Latin a" but points to a completely different site. Our tool allows you to decode xn-- links from emails to see the real Unicode domain, helping you avoid phishing attacks.
What does "xn--" mean?
It is the standard prefix for Punycode. It tells your browser and server that the domain contains encoded Unicode characters.
Is my domain available?
Our tool only converts names. To see if a domain is available, use our WHOIS Lookup tool.
Why does my browser show Punycode?
Browsers show the xn-- version as a security feature if a domain uses mixed-scripts that look like a legitimate brand but are actually fake.