TON DNS & .ton Domains: What They Are, How to Buy a TON Domain, and How to Change TON DNS Records

TON DNS (often called TON Domains) is the decentralised naming service on The Open Network (TON) that turns long cryptographic identifiers into human‑readable names like alice.ton. Each .ton domain is an NFT on TON, so it lives in your wallet and can be transferred or traded like other NFTs.

Important: .ton domains (TON DNS) are not the same thing as Telegram .t.me domains/usernames sold via Fragment. Both exist on the TON blockchain ecosystem, but they are different assets and are used in different contexts.

What is TON DNS?

TON DNS is a standardised naming layer on TON (TEP‑81) that lets wallets, explorers, and dApps resolve a readable TON domain name into on‑chain records. In practice, it means a yourname.ton domain can be used as a short, memorable identifier for receiving Toncoin and interacting with TON services.

On TON, “DNS” does not rely on ICANN registrars or classic DNS nameservers. Instead, TON apps read the network’s Root DNS smart contract from TON’s configuration and call a standard get-method (dnsresolve) to retrieve records stored by the domain’s on‑chain contract.

Quick facts about .ton domains

  • .ton domains are NFTs: you can store, gift, sell, or transfer them using TON wallets and NFT marketplaces.
  • Name rules: a .ton domain must be at least 4 characters and no more than 126 characters; the allowed character set is English letters, digits, and hyphen.
  • Annual renewal: to keep ownership, the domain owner renews once per year by sending 0.015 TON to the domain’s smart contract; if not renewed, the domain can be auctioned again.
  • Decentralisation model: there is no “administrator” who can arbitrarily block a domain; exceptional actions are possible only via network-wide governance mechanisms.
How TON DNS maps human-readable .ton domains to on-chain records.

Compared to naming systems like Ethereum Name Service (ENS), TON DNS is designed around TON’s own on-chain services (wallets, TON Sites, and more). The key user benefit is the same: fewer copy/paste mistakes, safer everyday payments, and a smoother onboarding experience for new users.

The importance of human-readable names

Long blockchain addresses are difficult to verify and easy to mistype. TON DNS reduces this risk by allowing a readable ton domain to stand in for an address in supported wallets and apps, making routine transfers and dApp interactions far more user-friendly.

How TON DNS Works

TON DNS resolution happens on-chain. A TON client locates the Root DNS smart contract from the TON network configuration, then performs resolution using the dnsresolve get-method as defined in the TON DNS standard (TEP‑81). Unlike classic DNS, there is no concept of DNS “propagation”; updates become effective as soon as the relevant transactions are finalised on-chain and clients read the updated state.

Nameservers vs resolvers on TON

If you’re searching for “TON DNS nameservers”: TON DNS does not use traditional NS records. Instead, TON uses smart-contract resolvers. Each domain can delegate subdomain management by pointing to another resolver smart contract (a dns_next_resolver record in TON DNS terms), enabling advanced setups like subdomains and custom domain logic.

What can a TON DNS domain point to?

The official TON Domains interface allows owners to store multiple kinds of destination data in a domain’s records, including:

  • Wallet address: use your .ton name as a short way to receive TON.
  • TON Site: point a domain to a TON Site address (ADNL) so it can be opened via TON gateways / TON Proxy tooling.
  • Hosting in TON Storage: host a site in TON Storage and connect it to your domain via the domain management UI.
  • Subdomains: assign a subdomain manager / resolver contract to create and manage subdomains.
Decentralised web services using TON DNS and TON Sites.

Current auction rules and renewal

  • Open auction: domains are purchased at auction via dns.ton.org. To start an auction for an unowned domain, you place the first bid.
  • Auction duration: for domains with no owner, the auction lasts 1 hour; for expired domains, the auction lasts 1 week.
  • Bid increments: each new bid must be at least 5% higher than the previous; bids near the end can extend the auction by 1 hour.
  • Outbid handling: if your bid is outbid, the interface states funds are returned to your wallet.
  • Renewal: renew yearly by sending 0.015 TON to the domain’s smart contract to extend ownership by one year.

Tip: some wallets recommend keeping extra TON (e.g., ~0.1 TON) available to cover transaction fees when linking or renewing domains.

How to purchase a TON domain name

To buy a TON domain (or purchase TON DNS rights for a specific name):

  1. Search: open dns.ton.org and search for the .ton domain you want.
  2. Start or join the auction: if the domain has no owner, place the first bid to start the auction; otherwise, bid according to the current auction details.
  3. Win: after the auction ends, the highest bid wins the domain.
  4. Claim & set up: link (assign) your wallet address to the domain in order to complete setup and use the name for receiving TON in supported apps.
  5. Renew: remember to renew yearly (0.015 TON) so the domain does not expire and return to auction.
Example of a TON DNS auction on dns.ton.org.

How to change TON DNS records (wallet, site, storage)

To change TON DNS settings after purchase, open your domain in the management UI and update the record you need (wallet, TON Site, TON Storage, subdomains). Many users do this from within their wallet app:

  1. In Tonkeeper, open Collectibles and select your domain NFT.
  2. Use Link domain to connect the .ton name to a wallet address.
  3. Use Manage to open the management interface (Tonkeeper redirects via dns.tonkeeper.com for management and renewal flows).

Buying or selling on Getgems

  1. Open the domain page on Getgems.
  2. Use marketplace actions like Make Offer following the platform’s prompts and confirm the transaction in your wallet.
  3. Safety: verify the destination wallet address in a TON explorer before confirming; don’t rely only on a domain name string.

Integration with TON Sites

TON DNS is one of the building blocks for TON Sites. TON Sites are accessed through the TON Network (overlay networking with ADNL/RLDP). If you run a TON Site, you can register a domain like example.ton and point the domain record to your site’s ADNL address so TON gateways can resolve and open it.

TON DNS docs and developer references

If you’re building tools around dns.ton / TON DNS domains, these are the core references:

  • TEP‑81 (TON DNS Standard) — defines domain format, resolution behaviour, categories, and record schemas.
  • Official DNS auctions UI — dns.ton.org.
  • TonAPI DNS endpoints — programmatic access to auctions and DNS resolution (getAllAuctions, getDnsInfo, dnsResolve).

Benefits of TON DNS

TON DNS improves everyday usability on TON by making addresses human-readable, while preserving on-chain ownership and transparency. The biggest benefits are convenience when receiving funds, fewer transaction errors, and easier discovery of TON services via readable names instead of raw identifiers.

Simplified transactions and interactions

Using a ton domain like yourname.ton is often easier than sharing a long address. Supported wallets and services can resolve the domain and let users send TON using that short name.

Security and user-safety considerations

Decentralised naming systems still face scams and impersonation attempts. Tonkeeper warns that blockchain domains are not moderated, and scammers may register misleading .ton domains or use “domain mismatch” tricks (multiple domains pointing to the same wallet) to confuse users. Always verify the underlying wallet address and use trusted explorers when something looks suspicious.

Challenges and Considerations

TON DNS reduces friction for users, but it does not eliminate the need for careful verification. Users still need to understand what they are approving in wallet prompts, and teams should protect their brands early by registering key variations.

Mitigating impersonation and domain-based scams

  • Defensive registrations: register core brand names and common variations early.
  • Verify “where it points”: before sending funds, confirm the resolved wallet address in a reputable TON explorer.
  • Don’t confuse systems: remember that .ton (TON DNS) and .t.me (Fragment) are different assets and may be used in different scam patterns.

The Future of TON DNS

TON DNS is already more than “wallet nicknames”. The official documentation highlights that each domain can store a vast set of DNS records and can delegate subdomain management to an arbitrary smart contract (a custom resolver). This enables more advanced mechanics such as subdomains, service routing, and new domain-based UX patterns across TON dApps.

TON DNS auctions, tracking and “TON DNS news”

TON DNS auctions run continuously. For the most accurate live information, use the official auction interface at dns.ton.org or query TON DNS programmatically via TonAPI DNS endpoints (auctions list, domain info, and DNS resolution).

If you follow third-party alerts, treat them as informational only and always verify final domain ownership and records in a TON explorer before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TON DNS?

TON DNS is the decentralised naming service on TON that maps human-readable .ton domains to on-chain records such as wallet addresses and TON Sites, using standard resolver smart contracts.

How to get a .ton domain?

To purchase a .ton domain, visit dns.ton.org, search for a name, place a bid to start or join an auction, and after winning, set up the domain by assigning it to your wallet.

How do I change TON DNS records?

You can change TON DNS settings using the official management UI (dns.ton.org) or via wallet integrations. For example, in Tonkeeper you can open the domain NFT and use Link domain / Manage to update records and renew.

How much is TON DNS renewal?

Official TON Domains documentation states you renew yearly by sending 0.015 TON to the domain’s smart contract to extend the domain for one year.

Are .ton domains NFTs?

Yes. Official TON Domains documentation describes .ton domain names as NFTs, meaning they can be stored in a wallet and traded on NFT marketplaces.

Are .ton domains moderated?

No. Wallet security guidance warns that blockchain domains are not moderated, which is why users must watch out for deceptive names and always verify addresses.