What does the status of a domain name mean?

There are several domain name status codes that you might see when using Domain whois and Monitoring. Most of these are variations of a few basic statuses:

• ACTIVE — The normal state for a domain name. Active domain names can be used for websites, email, or to register nameservers.
• REGISTRAR-HOLD — The domain name was placed on hold by the registrar and cannot be used or renewed.
• REGISTRY-HOLD — The domain name was placed on hold by the registry and cannot be used.
• REGISTRAR-LOCK — The registrar, often at the request of the domain name registrant, locked the domain name so that its settings cannot be modified.
• REGISTRY-LOCK — The registry locked the domain name so that its settings cannot be modified.
• REDEMPTIONPERIOD — The domain name expired, and the registry is waiting for 30 days as a precautionary measure before releasing it.
• PENDINGRESTORE — A domain name that had expired is being restored to ACTIVE status.
• PENDINGDELETE — The domain expired and is no longer available for redemption. The registry is about to erase it. A domain name remains in this status for five days before it is deleted.
• CLIENT_DELETE_PROHIBITED — The registrar locked the domain name so that it cannot be deleted.
• SERVER_DELETE_PROHIBITED — The registry locked the domain name so that it cannot be deleted.
• CLIENT_HOLD — The registrar placed the domain name on hold, and it cannot be used.
• SERVER_HOLD — The registry placed the domain name on hold, and it cannot be used.
• CLIENT_RENEW_PROHIBITED — The registrar locked the domain name so that it cannot be renewed.
• SERVER_RENEW_PROHIBITED — The registry has locked the domain name so that it cannot be renewed.
• CLIENT_TRANSFER_PROHIBITED — The registrar locked the domain name so that it cannot be transferred to another registrar.
• SERVER_TRANSFER_PROHIBITED — The registry locked the domain name so that it cannot be transferred to another registrar.
• CLIENT_UPDATE_PROHIBITED — The registrar locked the domain name to prevent its settings from being changed.
• SERVER_UPDATE_PROHIBITED — The registry locked the domain name to prevent its settings from being changed.
• INACTIVE — The domain name cannot be used because the nameservers haven't been entered or there is a problem with the nameservers.
• OK — The domain name is active and can be used for websites, email, or to register nameservers.
• PENDING_DELETE — The registration for the domain name is about to be deleted by the registry, as when the domain name expires.
• PENDING_TRANSFER — The domain name is in the process of being transferred from one registrar to another. It may not be modified during this period.
• PENDING_VERIFICATION — The registry is creating the domain name record.