Hyphenated domain names have long had a mixed reputation among domain investors. Traditionally, most investors avoided domains with hyphens, considering them harder to brand, harder to remember, and less valuable.
However, recent discussions suggest the trend may be shifting. Rob Monster of Epik recently started a thread claiming that hyphenated .com domains are back in fashion, noting plans to expand his company’s holdings in this area. The domain community is split: roughly 30% of investors plan to acquire more hyphenated domains, while a similar number plan to divest them.
So, what do the data say? Are hyphenated .com domains really gaining traction?
Market Share: Still Small, But Growing
Data from NameBio shows that hyphenated .com domains continue to represent only a small portion of the overall market—but that share has been gradually increasing.
Looking at recent years:
- Around 1.5% of .com sales in 2017 included hyphens
- This rose to about 1.8% in 2018
- And reached approximately 2.5% in 2019
- In more recent short-term snapshots, the figure has climbed to around 3%+
While the percentage remains low, the upward trend is consistent.
This suggests that hyphenated domains are not mainstream—but they are becoming more active in the resale market.
Pricing Gap: A Persistent Reality
Even as transaction volume increases, pricing tells a different story.
Across multi-year data:
- Average price of hyphenated .com domains: roughly $600–$700
- Average price of all .com domains: typically $1,200–$1,500+
In some cases, averages can be distorted by major outlier sales (for example, ultra-premium domains like Voice.com). However, even after adjusting for these, hyphenated domains consistently sell at a discount.
In short:
Liquidity is improving, but valuation remains lower.
Supply vs Sales: A More Complete Picture
To understand investment potential, we need to compare how many domains exist vs how many actually sell.
Using data from Dofo:
- Total .com domains listed for sale: ~15.2 million
- Hyphenated domains among them: ~544,000 (about 3.6%)
Compare this with sales data:
- Only about 2–3% of completed .com sales involve hyphenated domains
This indicates:
Supply is slightly higher than demand
Hyphenated domains are not outperforming the market
However, the gap is not large—and appears to be narrowing over time.
High-Value Sales Still Exist
Despite lower averages, strong hyphenated domains can still command solid prices.
Examples include:
- blog-city.com — $30,500
- education-world.com — $20,022
- SEO-browser.com — $16,750
Historical high-value sales:
- hotel-reservation.com — $200,916
- 18-wheeler.com — $82,390
- all-in.com — $40,000
These examples show that quality and clarity still matter more than structure alone.
Pros and Cons of Hyphenated Domains
Pros:
- Improves readability for multi-word domains
- Preserves original word structure (e.g., all-in.com)
- Reduces ambiguity when a combination could be misread
Cons:
- Harder to communicate verbally
- Slightly lower resale value on average
- Less conventional; some users may expect domains without hyphens
From a marketing perspective, hyphenated domains may work well visually, on signage, social media, or graphics, where readability matters more than pronunciation.
Investment Perspective: Where They Fit
So, should you invest in hyphenated .com domains?
Based on the data:
They are more active than before, but still niche
They are cheaper on average, which can mean lower entry cost
They have clear limitations in branding and resale ceiling
A practical strategy would be:
Focus primarily on non-hyphen domains
Use hyphenated domains selectively for clarity-driven names
Avoid overloading a portfolio with them
Final Insight
The debate around hyphenated domains often misses the bigger picture.
The real question is not:
“Does the domain include a hyphen?”
But rather:
“Does the domain communicate clearly and effectively?”
Because in practice, clarity and usability often outweigh structural preferences.