--- title: "Arabic Domain Names (IDN): How Does a Domain in Arabic Letters Like .السعودية Work?" description: "**In short**An Arabic domain (IDN) is written in Arabic letters, such as your company name followed by .السعودية. It is easy for Arabic-speaking customers to remember and type, but it is stored technically in Latin letters starting with xn--, and…" url: "https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/arabic-idn-domains/" updated: "2026-11-09" category: Internet Domains --- # Arabic Domain Names (IDN): How Does a Domain in Arabic Letters Like .السعودية Work? **In short**An Arabic domain (IDN) is written in Arabic letters, such as your company name followed by .السعودية. It is easy for Arabic-speaking customers to remember and type, but it is stored technically in Latin letters starting with xn--, and some apps show it that way. Register it alongside an English domain, and use the English one for email. ![A domain in Arabic letters with the .السعودية extension and its technical xn-- form below it](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/hkb-domain-hero-idn-en.webp) Your customers know your company by its Arabic name, but they hesitate when spelling it in English. An Arabic domain solves this, because people type the name as they say it. It works in a special way, though, and you should understand it before registering one. ![A domain in Arabic letters with the .السعودية extension and its technical xn-- form below it](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/hkb-domain-idn-en.webp) ## What is an Arabic domain (IDN)? IDN stands for Internationalized Domain Name: a domain written in non-Latin letters, such as Arabic. There are two kinds: - **Fully Arabic:** both the name and the extension are Arabic, such as **your-company.السعودية**. The .السعودية extension is the official Arabic version of .sa. - **Arabic name, Latin extension:** an Arabic name with an English extension, on extensions that support it. ## Why does it sometimes show as xn--? The internet domain system only understands Latin letters. So the Arabic name is converted automatically into a technical form that starts with **xn--**, called Punycode. For example, the .السعودية extension is stored like this: ``` .السعودية = .xn--mgberp4a5d4ar ``` Modern browsers show the Arabic name, but some apps, websites and control panels show the technical form. This is normal, and both lead to the same website. ## Pros and limits | | Arabic domain | English domain | | --- | --- | --- | | Easy to remember for Arabic speakers | High, typed as it is said. | Customers may misspell it. | | Typing in the browser | Needs an Arabic keyboard. | Direct. | | Email | Not suitable, many apps do not support it. | Suitable and supported everywhere. | | Sharing in messages and apps | May show as xn-- in some. | Shows as typed. | | SSL certificate | Works normally. | Works normally. | **Example:** A restaurant known by its Arabic name registers the Arabic domain for signs and ads, plus the English domain for email and the main website, and points the Arabic domain to the same site. ## The best way to use it 1. **Register both names:** the Arabic domain for marketing, and the English one for email and the main website. 2. **Pick one main website:** and redirect the other domain to it with a permanent 301 redirect, so Google does not see duplicate content. Read [Redirecting a web page](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/cpanel-redirects-301-302/). 3. **Use the English domain for email:** so your messages reach every app without problems. Read [Creating a company email address](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/create-business-email-account/). The .السعودية extension is a Saudi domain and follows the Saudi registration rules. Read [What is a Saudi domain?](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/what-is-saudi-domain/). ## Is an Arabic domain right for you? - Yes, if your Arabic name is what customers know and search for. - Do not rely on it alone, register an English domain too. - Do not use it for email. Search for both names on the [domain availability check](https://www.hyyat.com/en/domain-availability-check/) page, and see [why register your domain with Hyyat Host](https://www.hyyat.com/en/advantages-of-domain-reservation-at-hyyat-host/). ## Frequently asked questions What is an Arabic IDN domain? A domain written in Arabic letters, like your-company.السعودية. It is converted technically into Latin letters starting with xn-- so the domain system can read it. Why does an Arabic domain show as xn--? Because the domain system only reads Latin letters, so the Arabic name is stored in a technical form called Punycode. Some apps show that form instead of the Arabic. Can I use email on an Arabic domain? We do not recommend it, because many email apps do not support it. Use an English domain for email. Does SSL work on an Arabic domain? Yes, an SSL certificate works on an Arabic domain just like an English one. **Related guides** - [What Is a Saudi Domain? Extensions, Requirements and How to Register One](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/what-is-saudi-domain/) - [How to Choose a Domain Name: 15 Tips](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/top-tips-for-choosing-a-domain-name/) - [What Is a Domain Name? Meaning, Extensions and How It Works](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/what-is-a-domain-name/) - [Domain Status Codes in WHOIS: clientTransferProhibited, clientHold and pendingDelete Explained](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/domain-status-codes-whois/) - [How to Redirect a Page or Website in cPanel (301 and 302 Redirects)](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/cpanel-redirects-301-302/) [All internet domain guides →](https://www.hyyat.com/en/kb/internet-domains/) **Need this service from Hyyat Host?**Our team handles it for you, with support replying to tickets within 24 hours at most.[Saudi domain reservation](https://www.hyyat.com/en/saudi-domain-reservation/)[Domain Availability Check](https://www.hyyat.com/en/domain-availability-check/)