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.ac Domain: Ascension Island ccTLD Guide

Updated October 2026

.ac is the country-code top-level domain for Ascension Island. Academic-sounding, technically unusual.

Overview

Sometimes used for academic-sounding names, and for word endings in "-ac".

.ac is for Ascension Island. Unusually, "AC" is an "exceptionally reserved" code in the ISO 3166 standard rather than a full country code; IANA accepts it because ISO reserves AC for Ascension Island.

Do not confuse .ac with second-level academic endings such as .ac.uk, which are reserved for institutions.

Who can register

Generally open to registrants worldwide.

Before you buy a .ac name

• Check the renewal price as well as the first-year price. Our cost calculator shows what a name really costs over time.
• Make sure you meet the eligibility rules yourself, without relying on a trustee if you can avoid it.
• Search for trademarks and for the same name in .com.
• Say the name out loud: will people type it correctly?

Weighing up a specific .ac name? TLD.is gives an AI appraisal that explains a name's strengths and weaknesses.

Frequently asked questions

What country is .ac?

.ac is the country-code top-level domain for Ascension Island.

Who runs the .ac domain?

The .ac registry is managed by Internet Computer Bureau Limited.

Can I register a .ac domain from another country?

Generally open to registrants worldwide.

Does Google treat .ac as a country domain?

Yes. Google normally treats .ac as a signal that a site targets Ascension Island.

Compare and explore

Compare .ac side by side with other extensions, or browse more in Africa:

Sources checked: en.wikipedia.org · www.iana.org. Last reviewed October 2026.

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