Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is w3.org legit or a scam?
w3.org was registered Jul 6, 1994 (32 years old), per public registration records. AboutUs doesn't label sites "legit" or "a scam": this page lists the dated registration, DNS, HTTPS, mail-authentication and safety checks we could verify, each with its source, so you can decide for yourself.
Who owns w3.org?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for w3.org. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
When was w3.org registered?
w3.org's registration dates to Jul 6, 1994 (32 years old), per public registration records. Gandi SAS is the registrar on record today.
Correct a description, link or other detail. Submissions are reviewed before publication.
Registered 1994 · site is live · HTTPS valid
W3C
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops web standards and guidelines to help build a web based on accessibility, internationalization, privacy, and security. It is an international community of member organizations, staff, and the public that collaborates to advance web standardization across browsers, search engines, and web software.
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 32 years ago · on AboutUs since 2006 · 3 registrar changes since Jul 15, 2011 · no ownership change on record since 2011 · last checked Oct 25, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredJul 6, 1994w3.org was registered on Jul 6, 1994.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageJun 21, 2006 – Apr 21, 2013An AboutUs wiki page described w3.org from Jun 21, 2006 to Apr 21, 2013 (62 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Registrar
Gandi SAS (R42-LROR)Jul 15, 2011 – Aug 25, 2012Registrar Gandi SAS (R42-LROR) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for w3.org, from Jul 15, 2011 to Aug 25, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)Gandi SASJan 23, 2014 – Jan 28, 2014Registrar Gandi SAS (IANA 81) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for w3.org, from Jan 23, 2014 to Jan 28, 2014.
Ownership
Ownership recordsJul 15, 2011 – Jun 5, 2026Registration records for w3.org are held from Jul 15, 2011 to Jun 5, 2026 (741 records). None shows a change of registrant. Privacy-service and redaction changes are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
No ownership changes recorded, 2011–2026
Zone file
Nameservers: w3.orgNameservers: w3.orgJul 15, 2011 – Dec 4, 2023Registration records listed w3.org nameservers (ns1.w3.org, ns2.w3.org, ns3.w3.org) for w3.org from Jul 15, 2011 to Dec 4, 2023.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)Nameservers: Cloudflare
Certificate
Let's EncryptMar 27, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026Let's Encrypt issued 47 certificates for w3.org from Mar 27, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 15, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
200020102020Jan ’26Oct ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (18)
Jul 6, 1994Registration: w3.org was registered on Jul 6, 1994.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Jun 21, 2006 – Apr 21, 2013AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described w3.org from Jun 21, 2006 to Apr 21, 2013 (62 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jul 1, 2006AboutUs record: “The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium where Member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop Web standards. W3C's mission is:”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Jul 1, 2007AboutUs record: “Leading the World to it's Full Potential... W3C stands for World Wide Web Consortium. The W3C is an international consortium of organizations, the public, and the W3C staff working together to develop the standards for …”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2007
Jul 1, 2008AboutUs record: “Leading the World to its Full Potential... W3C stands for World Wide Web Consortium. The W3C is an international consortium of organizations, the public, and the W3C staff working together to develop the standards for t…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2008
Jul 15, 2011 – Aug 25, 2012
Said about itself in 2006
Jul 1, 2006
“The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium where Member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop Web standards. W3C's mission is:”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Said about itself in 2007Jul 1, 2007“Leading the World to it's Full Potential... W3C stands for World Wide Web Consortium. The W3C is an international consortium of organizations, the public, and the W3C staff working together to develop the standards for …”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2007
Said about itself in 2008Jul 1, 2008“Leading the World to its Full Potential... W3C stands for World Wide Web Consortium. The W3C is an international consortium of organizations, the public, and the W3C staff working together to develop the standards for t…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2008
Current AboutUs recordJun 16, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Oct 25, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Gandi SAS (R42-LROR)Jan 30, 2014 – Apr 14, 2014Registrar Gandi SAS (R42-LROR) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for w3.org, from Jan 30, 2014 to Apr 14, 2014.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
GANDI SASGANDI SASJul 11, 2016 – Oct 28, 2026 (latest)Registrar GANDI SAS (IANA 81) in the registration data recorded, first on Jul 11, 2016 and most recently on Oct 28, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Nameservers: Cloudflare
Dec 22, 2023 – Jun 5, 2026
Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (jamie.ns.cloudflare.com, pranab.ns.cloudflare.com) for w3.org from Dec 22, 2023 to Jun 5, 2026.
Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to CloudflareDec 22, 2023w3.org's nameservers moved from w3.org to Cloudflare between Dec 4, 2023 and Dec 22, 2023. Last seen at w3.org: Dec 4, 2023 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Dec 22, 2023 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Google Trust Services
May 11, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026 (latest)
Google Trust Services issued 7 certificates for w3.org from May 11, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 27, 2027. Seen in use on Oct 22, 2026.
Source: Certificate Transparency logs (dns.pizza's own certificate-log reader + AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Oct 22, 2026
Gandi SASJun 30, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026Gandi SAS issued 2 certificates for w3.org from Jun 30, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 14, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
AmazonSep 3, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026Amazon issued 1 certificate for w3.org from Sep 3, 2026, the latest valid until Mar 19, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Registrar: Registrar Gandi SAS (R42-LROR) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for w3.org, from Jul 15, 2011 to Aug 25, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Jul 15, 2011 – Jun 5, 2026Ownership: Registration records for w3.org are held from Jul 15, 2011 to Jun 5, 2026 (741 records). None shows a change of registrant. Privacy-service and redaction changes are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jul 15, 2011 – Dec 4, 2023Zone file: Registration records listed w3.org nameservers (ns1.w3.org, ns2.w3.org, ns3.w3.org) for w3.org from Jul 15, 2011 to Dec 4, 2023.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jan 23, 2014 – Jan 28, 2014Registrar: Registrar Gandi SAS (IANA 81) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for w3.org, from Jan 23, 2014 to Jan 28, 2014.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Jan 30, 2014 – Apr 14, 2014Registrar: Registrar Gandi SAS (R42-LROR) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for w3.org, from Jan 30, 2014 to Apr 14, 2014.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Jul 11, 2016 – Oct 28, 2026Registrar: Registrar GANDI SAS (IANA 81) in the registration data recorded, first on Jul 11, 2016 and most recently on Oct 28, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Dec 22, 2023 – Jun 5, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (jamie.ns.cloudflare.com, pranab.ns.cloudflare.com) for w3.org from Dec 22, 2023 to Jun 5, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Dec 22, 2023Zone file: w3.org's nameservers moved from w3.org to Cloudflare between Dec 4, 2023 and Dec 22, 2023. Last seen at w3.org: Dec 4, 2023 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Dec 22, 2023 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Mar 27, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026Certificate: Let's Encrypt issued 47 certificates for w3.org from Mar 27, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 15, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
May 11, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026Certificate: Google Trust Services issued 7 certificates for w3.org from May 11, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 27, 2027. Seen in use on Oct 22, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (dns.pizza's own certificate-log reader + AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Oct 22, 2026
Jun 16, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Oct 25, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Jun 30, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026Certificate: Gandi SAS issued 2 certificates for w3.org from Jun 30, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 14, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Sep 3, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026Certificate: Amazon issued 1 certificate for w3.org from Sep 3, 2026, the latest valid until Mar 19, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
All 4 safety checks passed (Oct 29, 2026).
Automated safety checks
DNS (passed)
HTTPS (passed)
Page metadata (passed)
Security headers (passed)
Current facts
Latest available measurements; dated entries retain their dates. These are measurements, not an endorsement of the site.
latest result
Domain registered Jul 6, 1994 — 32 years old.
latest result
Registrar on record: Gandi SAS — unchanged since AboutUs began tracking (Jul 22, 2026).
latest result
HTTPS request succeeded for www.w3.org.
checked Oct 3, 2026
The site names World Wide Web Consortium as the organisation behind it.
checked Oct 3, 2026
The live front page reads as a non-profit, association or religious site that is funded by donations or members, mainly for specialists in its field.
Authority 99/100— in the top 1% of the August 2026 scored sampleClear
Why this authority score
99 is a percentile: higher than 99% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #183)+12
Verified continuity: 32.3 years (RDAP registration)+11
Identity corroboration (capped)+4
Security & email hygiene+5
Prominence × continuity interaction+1
Calibration adjustment (published map)+22
Model score: 55/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
What w3.org said about itself, 2006–2007
Quoted from the site's AboutUs wiki page in each year it changed (2 versions). These are the page's own words at the time, not AboutUs's assessment. New words · dropped words
2006
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium where Member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop Web standards. W3C's mission is:
2007
Leading the World to it's Full Potential... W3C stands for World Wide Web Consortium. The W3C is an international consortiumwhere Member of organizations,a full-time staff, and the public,work and the W3C staff working together to developWeb
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date.
1994
Domain registered (Jul 6, 1994).
2006
First tracked by AboutUs (Jun 21, 2006); profile edited 62 times through 2013.
✓ domain continuity 32 years registered✓ live verified Oct 29, 2026
Published Authority (percentile): 99/100 — this site's rank against the August 2026 scored sample. Public Authority is capped at 99.
Safety evidence
No unexpired threat-feed result; name-similarity check available (recorded about 4 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 4 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.
No caution flags in the available scoring observations; this is not a complete safety assessment
the
standards
W3C's mission is:
for the World Wide Web.
Now
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops web standards and guidelines to help build a web based on accessibility, internationalization, privacy, and security. It is an international community of member organizations, staff, and the public that collaborates to advance web standardization across browsers, search engines, and web software.
AboutUs summary of the current website, Sep 30, 2026.