Why does a domain start with xn--?
xn-- marks an encoded internationalized label. DNS transports the ASCII label while browsers may show its readable Unicode form.
Punycode converter & IDN browser checker
Convert Unicode, Punycode, and emoji domains, then check how Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari are likely to display them.
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What is Punycode?
Punycode is the ASCII-compatible form used to carry internationalized domain names through the Domain Name System. It lets a Unicode address such as café.fr travel as xn--caf-dma.fr; encoded labels begin with xn--.
This converter accepts a domain or complete URL in either form and returns both representations. Everything runs in your browser, so the domain you enter is never sent to punycod.es or another conversion service.
Why does Chrome show Punycode?
Chrome and Edge use Chromium’s anti-spoofing policy. Mixed scripts, lookalikes, unsafe characters, and suspicious patterns remain visible as ASCII.
Can I register an emoji domain?
A few registries—including .ws, .to, and .fm—accept emoji labels, but emoji are outside standard IDNA and often remain Punycode in address bars.
Does this check availability?
No. Conversion and browser forecasts stay on this device. A registry or registrar checks availability only after you deliberately open its site.
About browser display
Conversion is deterministic; address-bar display is a browser policy decision. The combined Chrome + Edge result runs Chromium’s full published 13-stage local display pipeline, including its Unicode identifier profile, script and numbering checks, dangerous patterns, whole-script confusables, and all 8,458 checked-in top-domain skeletons.
Policy snapshot: Chromium b5f42cbc825f, ICU 78-2, Unicode 17.0.0. Firefox uses Gecko’s policy and default preferences. Safari remains version-dependent because WebKit does not publish an equivalent portable decision algorithm.
Chromium’s separate lookalike navigation warning can also use private history and site-engagement data. A local webpage cannot predict that personalized warning or read the browser’s actual address bar.