An IDN domain (Internationalized Domain Name) is a domain name with special characters such as ë, ü, ñ or ø. Behind the scenes, such a name is converted into a Punycode notation that starts with ‘xn--‘, so that internet servers can process it. You request an IDN domain in the same way as a regular domain name, but you check beforehand whether the desired characters are supported by the registry and make sure your site and email display the name correctly.
What exactly is an IDN domain
The domain name system was originally built on the Latin ASCII alphabet, without accents or non-Latin characters. An IDN makes it possible to register, for example, ‘café.nl’ or ‘müller.de’. The browser and server actually see a translated version with the prefix xn--, for example xn--caf-dma.nl for café.nl. This translation is called Punycode and happens automatically as soon as you enter the name with special characters.
Nothing changes for the visitor: they simply type or see the readable name with the accent in the address bar. For technical matters, email, and SSL certificates, the Punycode variant sometimes needs to be taken into account, especially when linking with external systems.
Which extensions support IDN
Not every extension allows the same characters. A .nl domain, for example, supports a limited set of diacritical marks found in Dutch and several other languages, such as ë, ï, ö, ü and é. Extensions like .de, .eu or .com each have their own allowed character set, depending on the registry that manages the extension. Some extensions even support entirely non-Latin scripts, such as Cyrillic, Arabic, or Chinese.
Before choosing a name, it’s wise to check whether the extension and the specific characters you want to use are accepted. This varies per registry and may also expand over time. If in doubt, check the overview of allowed characters per extension, or ask your hosting and domain provider.
Requesting an IDN domain
Requesting an IDN domain works largely the same as for a regular domain name. You look up the name including the special characters, the system automatically recognizes that it’s an IDN, and shows you both the readable name and the Punycode variant for confirmation. After that, you register the name just like you would any other domain.
Check availability
Look up the domain name with the desired accents via the domain check and verify that both the name and the Punycode variant are available.
Choose the right extension
Check whether the extension supports the needed characters. If in doubt, consider also choosing an ASCII variant as a backup via domain names.
Complete the registration
Fill in your details and confirm the request. The domain will be registered under both the readable name and the Punycode form.
Link hosting and SSL
Assign the domain to your hosting package and request a free SSL certificate, so the site with the accented character is securely accessible.
Points to consider when using it
An IDN domain works fine for websites, but things are more nuanced for email addresses: not every mail server or application handles accents smoothly in the domain part after the @. Always test whether mail arrives correctly before using an IDN domain as the main address for business communication. If you want to set this up properly, check out the options for business email with extensive support.
Also keep in mind that some visitors will type the name without the accent. It’s therefore smart to also register the ASCII variant and redirect it to the IDN domain, so you don’t miss out on traffic. In Plesk, you can easily check whether both domains are correctly linked to your hosting account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Punycode?
Punycode is the technical encoding used to convert special characters in a domain name into an ASCII form that starts with xn--, so internet systems can process the name.
Can I use any character in an IDN domain?
No, each extension has its own list of allowed characters. Check beforehand whether the extension you want supports the desired letters or characters.
Does email always work well with an IDN domain?
Not guaranteed. Some mail systems have trouble with accents after the @, so always test this before using it as your primary email address.
Is an SSL certificate needed for an IDN domain?
Yes, just like with any domain, an SSL certificate ensures a secure connection. A free certificate is easy to link via your hosting environment.
Can I transfer an existing IDN domain?
Yes, an IDN domain can be transferred just like any other domain. Check the steps for switching to Tandata or consult the knowledge base for help.
Conclusion
An IDN domain lets you register a domain name with accents or other special characters, with Punycode working in the background to ensure technical compatibility. Check which characters your extension allows, preferably also register the ASCII variant, and thoroughly test email and SSL before going live.