Numeric domains: why Chinese buyers value number .coms

Why numbers?

For Chinese speakers, numbers avoid the friction of romanising Chinese words, are universally readable, and can carry lucky meanings. That combination has made numeric domains a distinct, liquid market for over a decade.

Scarcity drives price

• There are only 100 two-digit (NN) and 1,000 three-digit (NNN) .com domains — all long registered.
• Historical headline sales include 55.com (reported at about $2.3M in 2011) and 114.com (reported at about $2.1M in 2013).

What investors look for

• Shorter is stronger — every extra digit multiplies supply by ten.
• “Chinese premium” — names without 0 or 4 are commonly treated as a higher tier.
• Patterns — AAAA, ABAB, AABB and endings in 8 command more than random strings.
• Extension — .com first; .cn and .net follow.

Using a numeric domain

The best numeric sites turn the number into a memorable brand and a useful product — a tool, a directory or a community — rather than a parked page. That's the approach this website takes.

Score a numeric domain Buy / sell one

Sale figures are as publicly reported by industry sources; they are historical and not indicative of any current valuation.