---
title: "What Is Hyphenated domain? Domain Glossary | Grit Brokerage"
description: "A hyphenated domain is a name that uses a hyphen between words or parts, such as best-shoes.com. Hyphens are legal in domain names, except at the start..."
url: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/hyphenated-domain
publisher: Grit Brokerage
contact: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact
offer: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/inquiry
---

Domain types

# Hyphenated domain

A hyphenated domain is a name that uses a hyphen between words or parts, such as best-shoes.com. Hyphens are legal in domain names, except at the start or end.

## Why it matters

Hyphenated names are usually worth much less than the same name without the hyphen. People forget the hyphen when typing or saying the name aloud, and they send traffic to the unhyphenated owner. Many startups use one as a launch step, then upgrade later. Buyers should check that the plain version is not owned by a competitor or a rights holder. Common mistake: paying a high price for a hyphenated name because the clean one is taken. The gap in value is usually large.

Source: [icann.org](https://www.icann.org/en/icann-acronyms-and-terms)

[Read nextWhen Should a Startup Upgrade to a Better Domain Name?](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/startup-domain-upgrade)

## Buying or selling a domain?

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