One global reference for every Internet identifier.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) maintains the authoritative public registries for domain names, IP addresses, and protocol parameters so technical identifiers mean the exact same thing everywhere.
Although the Internet is decentralized by design, a limited set of its technical elements require globally coordinated administration. Our registries are openly published, our services are provided without charge, and we act as a neutral steward implementing policies developed by the communities we serve.
Access Model
Openly Published
Service Fee
Without Charge
Operator
PTI (ICANN Affiliate)
Domain Names
Root Zone, .INT, .ARPA & IDN Repository
Number Resources
Number Registries, RIR Allocation Data & Abuse Info
Protocols
Protocol Registries & Time Zone Database
Why Global Coordination Matters
Keeping a decentralized Internet unified through shared technical definitions.
For the Internet to work as a single network, network identifiers must be assigned to a single party and communication protocols must use codes that have the same interpretation by every software implementation.
Domain Names & DNS Security
Network identifiers like domain names must have the same meaning globally. Beyond maintaining registries, we operate infrastructure and events involved in producing, securing, and distributing key aspects of the DNS.
- Root Zone Registry
- .INT Registry & .ARPA Registry
- IDN Repository
Number Resources
IP addresses and number resources must be assigned to a single party and recorded in authoritative public registries so routing and addressing function without conflict across the entire network.
- Number Registries
- RIR Allocation Data
- Abuse Information
Protocols & Time Zones
Communication protocols must use codes that have the same interpretation by every software implementation. We maintain the registries and publishing systems that record these definitions.
- Protocol Registries
- Time Zone Database
- Technical Standardization Support
How We Operate
Neutral policy implementation from the 1970s to today.
The need for the IANA functions dates to the record-keeping activities that accompanied the earliest experiments leading to today’s Internet, and their origins can be traced to the 1970s.
Today, the functions are performed by Public Technical Identifiers (PTI), a purpose-built affiliate of ICANN dedicated exclusively to delivering the IANA services.
Community-Driven Policy Development
We act as a neutral steward implementing policies developed by the communities we serve. Our services are provided without charge as a public service.
Processing Identifier Requests
Much of our work involves processing requests for identifiers arising from technical standardization processes or submitted directly by users of IANA services. We assess each request carefully against the established policies governing the identifier’s allocation and use.
Publishing Systems & Operational Services
Our responsibilities extend beyond maintaining the registries themselves. We also operate the systems used to publish the registries and their associated data, together with supporting operational services including infrastructure and events involved in producing, securing, and distributing key aspects of the DNS.
Explore About Us
Governance, performance reports, and historical archives.
How the IANA functions are governed, overseen, planned, and continuously improved.
Delivered by Public Technical Identifiers (PTI), an affiliate of ICANN, with dedicated oversight, strategy, continuous improvement, and regular audits.
Service level commitments at a glance and in monthly reports.
Track how we are performing against our service level commitments across domain names, number resources, and protocol parameter requests.
News
Announcements, publications and consultations from across the IANA functions.
Archive & Reports
Historical documents from prior projects and services, and the master index of published reports.
Contact Us
How to reach us with questions, requests, and feedback regarding any IANA registry or service.
Direct Answers
Questions about the IANA functions.
What does the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) do?
IANA maintains the authoritative public registries that record allocations and definitions for network identifiers like domain names and IP addresses, as well as communication protocol codes, providing a common global point of reference. We also operate the systems used to publish the registries and supporting operational services for producing, securing, and distributing key aspects of the DNS.
Is there a fee to use IANA registries or submit requests?
No. The IANA role is a public service. The registries we maintain are openly published, and our services are provided without charge.
How are identifier allocation requests evaluated?
We act as a neutral steward implementing policies developed by the communities we serve. Requests arise from technical standardization processes or are submitted directly by users of IANA services, and we assess each request carefully against the established policies governing the identifier’s allocation and use.
Who performs the IANA functions today and when did they begin?
The origins of the IANA functions can be traced to the 1970s, accompanying the earliest experiments leading to today’s Internet. Today, the functions are performed by Public Technical Identifiers (PTI), a purpose-built affiliate of ICANN dedicated exclusively to delivering the IANA services.
Reach IANA with questions, identifier requests, or feedback.
Whether you are submitting an identifier request directly as a user of IANA services, participating in a technical standardization process, or looking for published reports, our team is ready to assist.
Openly published registries provided without charge
Assessed against established community policies