Note: The ENS App and ENS Explorer are both currently on Sepolia testnet. Behaviour and available features may change before mainnet.
Before you start
Note: onchain changes cost gas — the network fee Ethereum charges to process a transaction. It is paid in ETH from your connected wallet and goes to the network, not to ENS. Your wallet shows the exact fee before you approve.
You'll need a connected wallet on Sepolia testnet, with USDC or DAI for the registration fee and a little Sepolia ETH for gas.
On Sepolia you may not need to find the stablecoins yourself: the first time a wallet connects, Explorer funds it with 1,000 test USDC and 1,000 test DAI automatically. Gas isn't included; you'll still need Sepolia ETH from a faucet.
Steps
Search for the name you want. If it's available, you'll see "Available to register" with a Register button, in the search suggestions and on the name's page.
Choose how long to register for. The default is 1 year at $8.00/yr for names of 5 characters or more. Preset buttons show longer terms with per-year discounts (2 years $7.00/yr, 3 years $5.50/yr, 6 years $4.50/yr), or use Pick by date. Registering for at least 6 years gets the biggest per-year discount. Shorter names cost more: $160/yr for 4 characters, $640/yr for 3.
Pick a payment method — USDC or DAI — and click Register.
Approve the transactions in your wallet. Registration is a sequence of four steps, each with its own wallet prompt: deploy your name's resolver, submit a commitment, approve the payment, and register the name.
Wait for the short countdown. Between the commitment and the final step there's a security pause of about a minute; the modal counts it down and continues automatically.
Done. You'll land on your new name's page with a confirmation banner showing the term and amount paid.
Your new name comes ready to use: a resolver is set up as part of registration, so you can start adding records straight away.
What can go wrong
You navigate away mid-flow: the browser warns you before leaving the register page. Stay on the page until the final step confirms.
Common questions
Can I pay with ETH or a card?
No. Registration on Explorer is paid in USDC or DAI. Gas is paid in (Sepolia) ETH as with any transaction.
Why four transactions?
ENS uses a commit-reveal process so nobody can snatch a name by watching your transaction, plus your name gets its own resolver contract. Each part is a separate transaction.
How long can I register for?
Pick the number of years with the +/− stepper or choose an exact date with Pick by date. The per-year price drops with longer terms; the biggest discount applies when you register for at least 6 years.