The .UK domain celebrates its 40th anniversary, a milestone for the UK's national domain.

On July 24, 2025, the UK country code top-level domain (ccTLD) .UK celebrated its 40th anniversary. Since its launch in 1985, .UK has been one of the world's oldest and most trusted national domains. Today, it has become a core component of the UK's digital infrastructure, serving a wide range of businesses, institutions, and the public.

.UK was initially managed by University College London and subsequently by UKERNA (the UK Education and Research Network Association). In 1996, the .UK registry was transferred to the newly established non-profit organization Nominet, where it remains today. Currently, the .UK system boasts over 10 million registered domains and handles approximately 2 trillion DNS requests annually.

Amidst the evolving international domain name system, .UK maintains a strong local presence, particularly among UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises and public service organizations. Its relatively strict registration policies and centralized management are also believed to enhance the trustworthiness of domain name usage.

As the operating organization, Nominet has invested a portion of its revenue in recent years in social welfare projects, including cybersecurity, digital skills training, and infrastructure improvements. However, compared to other mainstream suffixes, .UK's international investment value is relatively limited, and its primary focus remains on use within the UK market.

Amid increasingly fierce competition in the ccTLD market, .UK's stable operation and continued use demonstrate the unique positioning of traditional country domain names in the local market. For website builders and brands targeting the UK, .UK remains a worthy option.