whois

library1.20240129.2pypypi✓ verified 88d ago

Python library for retrieving WHOIS information of domains. Provides domain registration details like registrar, creation date, expiration date, and name servers. Supports a wide range of TLDs through embedded server configurations. Current version: 1.20260326.1, requires Python >=3.9. Active development with monthly releases.

http-networking data

pip install whois

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · WHOIS

whois

http-networkingpythonv1.20240129.2

Install

1.6s avg

Import

237ms

Disk

16MB

Pass rate

10/ 10

Env Coverage10 / 10

glibc

3.9–3.13

musl

3.9–3.13

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v1.20240129.2 · pip install

no network on importno background threads

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

py 3.10–3.95 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 0.236s · 18.4MB

glibc

py 3.10–3.95 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 1.6s · import 0.238s · 19MB

16MB installed

● package 16MB

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

whois

✓ import whois

This is the only correct import.

Query WHOIS information for a domain.

import whois domain = whois.whois('example.com') print(domain.text)

whois --version

Debug

Known issues

gotchaImport the library using 'import whois', not 'from whois import whois'. The module name and function name are the same, which can be confusing.

fix

Use 'import whois' then call 'whois.whois(domain)'.

affects: all

deprecatedThe 'whois' function returns a simple object in older versions; newer versions return a more structured object. Avoid relying on attribute names without checking the actual response.

fix

Always access fields using dict-like or attribute access after checking the object type.

affects: >=1.20230906.1

gotchaWHOIS servers often have rate limits. Making many queries in quick succession may result in temporary IP bans or incomplete results.

fix

Add delays between queries (e.g., time.sleep(1)) or use a rotating proxy list.

affects: all

breakingThe 'tld' parameter behavior changed in 1.20240129.1. The library now handles some second-level domains for .uk differently.

fix

If you rely on custom TLD handling, verify results for .uk domains.

affects: >=1.20240129.1

Errors

Common errors & fixes

AttributeError: module 'whois' has no attribute 'whois'

The library is imported but the import is wrong or the package is not installed correctly.

fix

Ensure you installed the correct package: 'pip install whois'. Then use 'import whois' and call 'whois.whois(domain)'.

whois.parser.PywhoisError: Failed to parse WHOIS response for <domain>

The WHOIS server returned an unexpected format or the domain has no WHOIS record.

fix

Verify the domain exists and is registered. If the issue persists, try querying with a different server or update the library to the latest version.

TypeError: 'str' object is not callable

Accidentally imported the function as 'from whois import whois' but later reassigned 'whois' to a string or other non-callable.

fix

Use 'import whois' and call 'whois.whois()', not 'whois()' directly.

Upgrade

Version history

1.20240129.2latest on PyPI · released Feb 3, 2024

Audit

Dependencies

No dependency data recorded yet.

Agent activity

54 hits · last 30 days

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OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/mboot-github/WhoisDomain ↗

packagehttps://pypi.org/project/whois/ ↗