A decentralised naming system on Ethereum that converts human-readable names (like alice.eth) into wallet addresses, website links, and other data your apps can use.

A human-readable identifier registered on ENS. Most commonly .eth names (e.g., myname.eth), but also includes DNS names imported into ENS (e.g., example.com).

A name created under a parent name. For example, pay.alice.eth is a subname of alice.eth. The parent name's Manager creates subnames, each with its own records and permissions. Also called a subdomain.

A single segment of a name, separated by dots. In pay.alice.eth, the labels are pay, alice, and eth.

Names at the top of the naming hierarchy, like .eth, .com, or .xyz.

A name directly under a TLD. For example, alice.eth and example.com are both second-level names.

The wallet that owns a name. Can transfer ownership, recover the Manager role, and has ultimate control. If you transfer the Owner role, you lose the name.

The wallet that controls a name's day-to-day operations: updating records, creating subnames, and setting the Primary Name. Cannot transfer ownership. Useful for delegating control without giving up the name.

A 90-day window after a .eth name expires during which only the previous owner can renew it. The name continues to function but shows as expired in the ENS App.

A 21-day declining-price auction after the Grace Period ends. The price starts at $100 million and drops to $0, letting the market determine what desirable names are worth.

The date and time a .eth name expires. Renew before this date to keep your name.

Looking up data linked to an ENS name—for example, finding the Ethereum address for alice.eth.

Looking up the ENS name linked to a wallet address (the opposite of forward resolution). This is what enables apps to display alice.eth instead of 0x1234....

The ENS name a wallet has chosen to represent itself. When apps display a name instead of an address, they're showing the Primary Name. Each address can have one Primary Name per network.

Data stored against an ENS name:

• ETH Address – The Ethereum wallet the name points to

• Other Addresses – Addresses for other blockchains (BTC, SOL, etc.)

• Content Hash – Links to decentralised websites (IPFS, Arweave, Swarm)

• Text Records – Arbitrary data like avatar, email, description, or social handles

A text record that sets a profile image for your ENS name. Can be an uploaded image or an NFT you own.

A contract that stores and returns records for your ENS name. Most names use the Public Resolver. You generally don't need to change this unless troubleshooting.

The traditional internet naming system (e.g., example.com). ENS lets you import DNS names to use onchain.

A security protocol that cryptographically signs DNS records. Required to import a DNS name into ENS because it proves you control the domain.

A DNS name imported and recorded on Ethereum. Updates require gas fees.

A DNS name that uses DNSSEC proofs to resolve ENS records from DNS TXT records—no blockchain transactions needed. Free to set up and update.

A name deposited into the Name Wrapper contract. Wrapped names can have permissions set via fuses. All names registered since 2023 are wrapped by default.

A name in its original state, not in the Name Wrapper. Older .eth names may be unwrapped.

Permission settings on wrapped names that restrict what can be done. Some fuses are permanent once set.

Ethereum mainnet—where ENS names are registered and where ownership is recorded.

Scaling networks built on Ethereum (e.g., Optimism, Arbitrum, Base). ENS names can resolve to addresses on L2s and have network-specific Primary Names.

Common buttons and actions you'll see in the ENS App:

Renew your name's registration to push back the expiration date.

Add a calendar reminder for your name's expiry date.

Add, update, or remove records on your name—addresses, social links, avatar, and more.

Change the Owner, Manager, or ETH Address for your name.

Set the Manager to match the Owner address (useful after transfers).

Make this name represent your wallet across apps.

Transfer the name to another wallet.

Create a subname under this name.

Deposit an unwrapped name into the Name Wrapper.

Remove a name from the Name Wrapper (if permitted).

Add verified badges to your records through third-party providers.