How do I find the domain registrar and nameservers used by Shopify?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 10 Jun 2025
Updated 16 Aug 2025
7 min read
When managing an online store on platforms like Shopify, understanding the underlying domain infrastructure is crucial for various technical tasks, especially related to email deliverability. Many users find themselves needing to locate the domain registrar and nameservers associated with their Shopify store, whether for migration purposes, advanced DNS configurations, or simply for asset discovery.
Shopify offers different ways to handle domains. You can buy a domain directly through Shopify, or you can connect an existing third-party domain. Each method has implications for how you access and manage your domain's settings, including its registrar and nameserver information.
The key to finding this information lies in knowing where to look, depending on how your domain is set up with Shopify. While Shopify's interface simplifies much of the domain management, direct access to registrar details or specific nameserver records (NS records) might require a bit of digging outside the main admin panel. This guide will walk you through the processes and considerations.
Finding your domain registrar
The domain registrar is the organization that manages the reservation of internet domain names. If you purchased your domain directly through Shopify, Shopify acts as the reseller, typically using a larger domain registrar in the background. For domains bought externally and connected to Shopify, your original domain provider is the registrar.
To find the registrar for any domain, the most common method is to perform a WHOIS lookup. A WHOIS database contains publicly available information about registered domains, including the registrar's name, registration dates, and sometimes contact details. Many websites offer free WHOIS lookup services.
When you perform a WHOIS lookup for a domain purchased through Shopify, you will often find that the registrar listed is Tucows or its retail arm, OpenSRS. Shopify resells domains through them. If your domain was purchased elsewhere, the WHOIS record will show your original provider, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap. Shopify itself provides guidance on how to use their WHOIS lookup tool, which can also help in this discovery process, as explained on the Shopify blog.
Example WHOIS lookup result for a Shopify-registered domainplain
Domain Name: example.com
Registrar: Tucows Domains Inc.
Registrar IANA ID: 69
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@tucows.com
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.4165350123
Name Server: ns1.myshopify.com
Name Server: ns2.myshopify.com
Identifying Shopify nameservers
Nameservers are fundamental to how your domain connects to your website. They translate human-readable domain names into IP addresses, directing web traffic to the correct server. For domains directly managed by Shopify, the platform provides its own nameservers. These are essential for ensuring your Shopify store loads correctly.
If you've connected a third-party domain to Shopify, your domain's nameservers should typically remain managed by your original domain provider, not set to Shopify's custom ones. In this scenario, you update DNS records (like A records and CNAME records) within your domain provider's control panel to point to Shopify's servers, rather than changing the nameservers themselves. The Shopify Help Center offers detailed instructions for manually connecting a domain.
For domains purchased through Shopify or transferred to Shopify, you can find the nameserver information and manage DNS settings directly within your Shopify admin. Navigate to Settings > Domains, then click the specific domain and select Domain settings > Edit DNS settings. While specific nameserver addresses might not be explicitly listed there, this section confirms that Shopify is managing your DNS. For technical connections, Shopify generally requires pointing your A record to 23.227.38.65 and your CNAME record to shops.myshopify.com.
You can use an online DNS lookup tool to query your domain's NS records directly. Common Shopify nameservers often follow a pattern like ns1.myshopify.com and ns2.myshopify.com. This is particularly useful if you are trying to confirm DNS delegation.
Shopify-managed domains
Registrar: Often Tucows/OpenSRS, resold by Shopify.
Nameservers: Shopify manages these, typically ns1.myshopify.com and ns2.myshopify.com. Access DNS settings via Shopify admin.
Why this information matters for email deliverability
Knowing your domain registrar and nameserver details is not just for curiosity, it's vital for maintaining healthy email deliverability and overall domain reputation. Misconfigured DNS records, especially those related to email authentication, can lead to your emails being flagged as spam or even added to a blocklist (or blacklist).
For example, correctly setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is dependent on knowing where your domain's DNS is managed. If you're using a third-party email service for marketing or transactional emails, you'll need to add specific DNS entries provided by that service. This is a common requirement whether you're integrating with platforms like Klaviyo or ensuring Shopify emails are authenticated.
Furthermore, if your domain or IP address ends up on an email blacklist (or blocklist), understanding your registrar and nameserver setup is the first step in diagnosing and resolving the issue. It helps you identify who is responsible for managing your DNS and where you need to make changes to recover your domain's email reputation. Without this foundational knowledge, troubleshooting deliverability problems becomes significantly more challenging.
Even for domains that have their DNS managed by Shopify, you might still need to add custom records for various services. Understanding how Shopify handles DNS settings for these domains is crucial. For instance, to ensure optimal email deliverability, especially for transactional emails sent through services like Klaviyo and Shopify, proper configuration of these DNS records is non-negotiable.
Connecting your domain to Shopify
Identifying the registrar
WHOIS Lookup: Use a public WHOIS tool. This will show the domain's registration details, including the registrar. If Shopify is the registrar (as a reseller), Tucows/OpenSRS will typically be listed.
Shopify Admin: For domains purchased directly from Shopify, your Shopify admin will serve as your interface to manage the domain. The actual registrar (like Tucows) operates in the background.
Identifying nameservers
DNS Lookup Tool: Use online DNS lookup utilities to query for NS records. Typical Shopify nameservers are ns1.myshopify.com and ns2.myshopify.com.
Shopify Admin: Within Settings > Domains, you can access Edit DNS settings. This is where you configure records like A and CNAME, confirming Shopify's control over your DNS.
For third-party domains connected to Shopify, you'll manage your nameservers and primary DNS records through your registrar's portal. Shopify provides the specific A record and CNAME values you need to input there. It's a common misconception that Shopify provides its own nameservers for third-party domains; rather, it's about pointing records correctly.
Regardless of whether your domain is Shopify-managed or third-party, knowing where to find your domain's core information is crucial for any advanced setup. This includes setting up custom SPF and DKIM records for subdomains, or troubleshooting DMARC verification failures. Being proactive about this ensures consistent email deliverability and security.
Always keep records of your domain purchase and access credentials for your domain registrar.
Utilize a WHOIS lookup tool to quickly identify any domain's registrar details.
For third-party domains, manage nameservers through your domain provider and only update A/CNAME records for Shopify.
Regularly verify your DNS records, including those for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, to ensure email deliverability.
Common pitfalls
Confusing Shopify's role as a domain reseller with being the direct registrar.
Attempting to change nameservers for a third-party domain when only DNS records need updating.
Neglecting to check WHOIS information for domains purchased through Shopify to understand the underlying registrar.
Not understanding that Shopify's own nameservers are specifically for domains bought via or transferred to Shopify.
Expert tips
If you need to identify Shopify-registered domains for asset discovery, WHOIS fingerprinting can be a viable option.
Shopify's email forwarding is often powered by OpenSRS, which is also a strong indicator of their domain reselling partner.
Shopify's internal nameservers are primarily for their ecosystem and may not be publicly promoted for third-party use.
When troubleshooting, start with a WHOIS lookup, then move to DNS queries to pinpoint control points.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that Shopify appears to be reselling Tucows for domain registration.
2022-11-09 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that WHOIS services are the best starting point to find the registrar for domains hosted on Shopify.
2022-11-09 - Email Geeks
Key takeaways for domain management
Navigating domain management, especially with a platform like Shopify, involves understanding where your domain is registered and how its DNS records are controlled. Whether you've purchased your domain directly through Shopify or connected a third-party domain, the methods to find your registrar and nameserver details vary slightly but are always accessible through standard tools or your Shopify admin.
This knowledge is more than just technical trivia, it's a foundational element for ensuring robust email deliverability, preventing your messages from landing on a spam blocklist, and maintaining your overall online presence. By taking the time to understand these aspects of your domain, you empower yourself to troubleshoot effectively and implement advanced configurations for your Shopify store.
Tucows or its retail arm, OpenSRS. Shopify resells domains through them. If your domain was purchased elsewhere, the WHOIS record will show your original provider, such as 
GoDaddy or 
Namecheap. Shopify itself provides guidance on how to use their WHOIS lookup tool, which can also help in this discovery process, as explained on the Shopify blog.
Klaviyo or ensuring Shopify emails are authenticated.
