Good to Know
Creating and deleting subnames are gas-only transactions requiring ETH on Ethereum Mainnet.
The Manager of a name can create and delete subnames. For wrapped names, the Owner role (which includes Manager permissions) handles these actions.
Creating a subname has no registration fees - it only costs gas.
There's no limit to how many subnames can be created.
Subnames can create their own subnames too.
Subnames only have a Manager role; ownership is tied to the parent name.
The ENS App currently supports management of .eth names and their onchain (Ethereum) subnames only. Offchain subnames and subnames from specific projects on L2s (for example, base.eth subnames such as <sub>.base.eth) use their own custom contracts and frontends, and should be managed through those platforms.
Understanding Subnames
When you register a .eth name, like ens.eth, you're registering a second-level domain (2LD) under the top-level domain (TLD) .eth.
Once you own a .eth name, you can create subnames beneath it. For example, the owner of name.eth can create subnames like sub.name.eth. Those subnames can also create their own subnames, like sub2.sub.name.eth, and so on.
How to create a subname
Step 1: Select New subname
Navigate to the ENS App.
Connect your wallet.
Search for your name and open the Subnames tab.
Click + New Subname.
Step 2: Label the New Subname
Enter the label for your new subname. Remember, there are no registration fees and no limit to the number of subnames you can create - it only costs gas.
Step 3: Prepare the Profile (Optional)
Add any addresses and profile records you want on the subname. You can skip this step and complete it after the subname is created. See How to Edit Profile. Click Next once you're ready.
In this example, an ETH Address has been added
Step 4: Confirm the Transaction to Create the Subname
Click Open Wallet and confirm the transaction.
Once complete, the subname will be created.
Step 5: Confirm the Transaction to Update Profile (If Applicable)
If you added profile records, a second transaction prompt will appear.
Click Open Wallet and confirm the transaction.
Once complete, the subname profile is updated.
In this example, the ETH Address is added to the name
How to delete a subname
Step1. Select Delete Subname
Navigate to the ENS App.
Connect the Manager wallet.
Search for the subname and open the Profile tab.
Click Delete subname.
Step 2: Confirm the Transaction
Click Open Wallet and confirm the transaction.
Once complete, the subname is deleted.
Common Questions
Who can delete a subname?
A subname can be deleted by its Manager. If the current Manager is different from the parent owner, the parent can first change the Manager back to themselves and then proceed to delete the subname.
Why don't I have a Manager?
Names wrapped in the Name Wrapper do not have a separate Manager field. The traditional Manager role is merged into the Owner role on the ERC-1155 token contract. Unwrapped names have both an Owner and a Manager. Subnames, whether wrapped or unwrapped, only have a Manager–they never have an Owner. See Name Wrapper Overview.
What subnames can I create with the Name Wrapper contract?
Subnames can be created on both unwrapped and wrapped names. However, the Name Wrapper contract allows these subnames to be ERC-1155 NFTs. Read more in the Name Wrapper Overview, and review other articles in the Name Wrapper Collection. For specific subname use cases utilising Name Wrapper permanent Fuses, see Sell or Rent Subnames, Give subnames out to NFT holders and Issue subnames as tickets
Can I wrap a subname if the parent is not wrapped?
Yes. However, you'll need to wrap the parent name in order to benefit from Name Wrapper Fuses on the subname.
Can I unwrap a subname?
Yes, you can unwrap a subname, provided the CANNOT_UNWRAP fuse has not been burned on that subname.
If I create subnames on a wrapped parent name, are they wrapped or unwrapped?
A wrapped parent creates wrapped subnames, and an unwrapped parent creates unwrapped subnames. Wrapping or unwrapping a parent does not automatically change the status of its existing subnames - their state remains as it was.
What happens to subnames if I transfer the parent name?
Subnames remain linked to their parent name. When a parent name is transferred, the new owner gains control over its subnames. However, subnames retain their existing profile records and Manager as they were at the time of transfer. The new parent owner can reassign the Manager to themselves, update records, or delete the subname if needed.
The exception is for wrapped names where certain Fuses (such as PARENT_CANNOT_CONTROL) have been burned - in these cases, the parent may not have permission to modify or delete the subname. In all cases, subnames do not automatically update when the parent name is transferred.