---
title: Why does a domain renewal cost more than the first year?
description: Most domains are cheaper the first year and renew at a higher price. Live quotes show by how much, why, and how to work out the real three-year cost.
updated: 2026-10-27
---

# Why does a domain renewal cost more than the first year?

For most domains the first year is a promotional price and every year after it is billed at the renewal price, which is usually higher. In Nymwell's live quotes on 2026-10-27, a .com costs US$17.24 the first year and US$26.32 a year after that; a .xyz costs US$2.98 the first year and US$27.62 to renew, 9.3 times as much.

## How far apart the prices are

Live quotes on 2026-10-27, including Nymwell's margin, in USD.

| Ending | First year | Each renewal | Transfer in | Renewal vs first year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| .com | US$17.24 | US$26.32 | US$23.73 | 1.5× |
| .net | US$21.78 | US$31.51 | US$21.78 | 1.4× |
| .org | US$13.35 | US$26.32 | US$26.32 | 2.0× |
| .io | US$70.42 | US$104.14 | US$104.14 | 1.5× |
| .co | US$39.29 | US$58.75 | US$58.75 | 1.5× |
| .dev | US$19.84 | US$30.21 | US$26.32 | 1.5× |
| .app | US$19.84 | US$35.40 | US$30.21 | 1.8× |
| .xyz | US$2.98 | US$27.62 | US$27.62 | 9.3× |
| .tw | US$29.56 | US$44.49 | — | 1.5× |

Current prices for more endings are on [domain prices](https://nymwell.com/en/pricing/). For one exact name, use [domain search](https://nymwell.com/en/domain-search/).

## Why renewals cost more

- **The first year is often on promotion.** The registry that runs an ending sometimes discounts new registrations, and registrars use a low first year to win customers.
- **Renewal goes back to the normal price.** From the second year both are at their regular price, so the renewal is the real long-term cost.
- **Prices move.** Registries can change their wholesale prices, and renewals follow, so each renewal is charged at the price quoted at that time.

## How to compare without being caught out

1. **Read the renewal column**, not just the first year.
2. **Add up three years**: the first year plus two renewals. A .xyz comes to US$2.98 plus two renewals at US$27.62, US$58.22 in all; a .com to US$17.24 plus two at US$26.32, US$69.88. The gap is much smaller than the first year suggests.
3. **Buying several years at once** usually charges the first-year price once and the renewal price for each later year; the quote shows the total.
4. **A transfer adds a year** and usually costs about the same as a renewal, so include the transfer price when you compare registrars.

## Expiry and auto-renew

- New domains on Nymwell renew automatically: from 14 days before expiry, a year is charged to your saved card; a failed charge is tried again and you are told in your console. You can turn it off on the domain's page.
- A domain that isn't renewed expires. The endings above can still be renewed for about 25 days after expiry; after that a domain may enter a redemption period that costs much more, or be registered by someone else.

## Questions

**Can the renewal price change?**
Yes. When a registry changes its wholesale price, renewals can follow. Each renewal uses the price quoted at the time.

**Can I keep renewing at the first-year price?**
Usually not. The first year is a promotion unless the registrar discounts renewals every year.

**What about premium domains?**
The registry sets premium prices, and both the first year and renewals can be higher than usual. Search results mark premium names.

**How do I see the exact renewal price for one domain?**
Search it on [domain search](https://nymwell.com/en/domain-search/); the result shows the first term and the renewal side by side.

## Related

- [Domain price table](https://nymwell.com/en/pricing/)
- [Domain renewal guide](https://nymwell.com/en/taiwan/domain-renewal/)
- [How to transfer a domain](https://nymwell.com/en/guides/domain-transfer/)