Numeric domain names explained: 3N, 4N, 5N and chips
Domains. 8-minute read. Updated 2026-10-10.
Numeric domains are names made only of digits, such as 888.com or 36118.com. Investors describe them by length: 2N for two digits, 3N for three, and so on. The class is simple to define, which makes it unusually easy to measure scarcity.
Scarcity by length
| Class | Possible .com names | Chips (no 0 or 4) |
|---|---|---|
| 2N | 100 | 64 |
| 3N | 1,000 | 512 |
| 4N | 10,000 | 4,096 |
| 5N | 100,000 | 32,768 |
| 6N | 1,000,000 | 262,144 |
Every extra digit multiplies supply by ten, while demand does not grow nearly as fast. That is why short numerics are among the most liquid domain assets: buyers can value them without debating meaning or branding.
Why Chinese demand sets the tone
Numbers are easier for many Chinese users to type and remember than romanised brand names, and several well-known Chinese internet companies have used numeric domains. As a result, Chinese preferences decide which numbers trade best. Names without 4 are preferred, names without 0 are cleaner, and 8 or 6 add appeal. The term "chip" (no 0, no 4) comes from that market.
Patterns that add value
- Repeated digits (88888) and repeated blocks (1818).
- Palindromes (12321) and straight sequences (12345).
- Meaningful combinations: lucky phrases, years, area codes or famous numbers.
- No leading zero, which is easy to drop when typing.
Where 36118.com sits
36118.com is a 5N chip ending in 8, with no 0 and no 4 and a doubled 1. It is not a repeating pattern, so it sits in the upper middle of the 5N class rather than at the top. Its second asset is meaning: it is a real U.S. ZIP code, which gives it a use case outside the domain market. Run any name through the domain scorecard to see the factor-by-factor breakdown.
Buying and selling safely
- Use an escrow service for any transfer; never send funds directly to a stranger.
- Check the registrar lock status and the registration history before agreeing a price.
- Expect most serious numeric buyers to ask for comparable sales. Have them ready.
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Frequently asked questions
How many 5-digit .com domains exist?
100,000, from 00000.com to 99999.com. Of those, 32,768 contain no 0 and no 4.
Are numeric domains good investments?
They are among the most liquid domain classes, but prices are cyclical and track Chinese market conditions. Treat them as a speculative asset.
Why do buyers avoid domains with 4?
Because 4 sounds like the word for death in Mandarin and Cantonese, and many end users will not use it.