---
title: "What Is .io? Domain Glossary | Grit Brokerage"
description: ".io is the country-code top-level domain for the British Indian Ocean Territory. Tech startups adopted it widely because the letters echo input/output,..."
url: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/dot-io
publisher: Grit Brokerage
contact: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact
offer: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/inquiry
---

Domain types

# .io

.io is the country-code top-level domain for the British Indian Ocean Territory. Tech startups adopted it widely because the letters echo input/output, and many treat it as a generic extension.

## Why it matters

Startups often use .io for developer tools and software products. Prices on the aftermarket are lower than for the same .com. There is a political risk to know. The UK signed a deal in 2025 to hand the territory to Mauritius, and ICANN says any change to .io would follow its retirement policy, which allows a long transition. ICANN calls the talk about .io so far speculation. Common mistake: paying a .com-level price for a .io name without planning for the extension's future.

Source: [icann.org](https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/the-chagos-archipelago-and-the-io-domain-14-11-2024-en)

[Read nextA Brief Overview of .io Domain Names](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/post/io-domain-names)

## Where we use this term

-   [11 Recent Domain Name Upgrade Acquisitions Revealed on Twitter](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/post/11-recent-domain-name-upgrade-acquisitions-revealed-on-twitter)
-   [33 Domain Name Upgrades & Acquisitions in 2021](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/post/33-domain-name-upgrades-acquisitions-in-2021)
-   [35 Recent Premium Domain Acquisitions & Upgrades](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/post/35-recent-premium-domain-acquisitions-upgrades)
-   [Grit Brokerage Domains Sold Report](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/post/grit-brokerage-domains-sold-report)

## Buying or selling a domain?

Call, text or email. Responsiveness is our trademark, and a broker answers, not a form robot.

[Talk to a broker](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact) [Call (442) 500-GRIT](tel:+1-442-500-4748)