How Do I Delete a Domain on Squarespace?
If you no longer need your Squarespace-registered domain or want to move it to another provider, the process varies depending on whether your domain is newly registered, past its grace period, or from an external registrar. Below is a step-by-step guide that ensures clarity and aligns with Squarespace's official policies.
Canceling a Squarespace-Registered Domain
Option 1: Canceling a Domain (Full Refund - Within 5 Days)
If you registered a gTLD domain (such as .com, .net, or .biz) within the last five days, you can cancel it for a full refund:
Log into Your Squarespace Account
Visit Squarespace and sign in.
Open the Domains Dashboard
Go to Settings > Domains.
Select the Domain to Cancel
Click on the domain you want to cancel.
Delete the Domain
Click Delete Domain, then confirm.
Verify Cancellation
A confirmation screen will appear. Click Delete Domain again to finalize.
Important Notes:
The five-day grace period is to the minute (e.g., if registered at 8:00 AM on January 1, it must be canceled by 7:59 AM on January 6).
After cancellation, the domain may become available for re-registration within 1–3 days, but some registrars may hold onto it indefinitely.
Option 2: Disabling Auto-Renew (For Domains Older Than 5 Days)
If more than five days have passed, you cannot delete the domain immediately. Instead, you can disable auto-renew, allowing the domain to expire at its next renewal date:
Log into Squarespace & Navigate to Domains
Go to Settings > Domains.
Select the Domain to Modify
Click the domain you no longer want.
Disable Auto-Renew
Toggle the Auto-Renew switch off.
Confirm Changes
Your domain will now expire at the end of its registration period.
What Happens Next?
The domain will remain active until its expiration date.
It will no longer renew, and ownership will lapse.
The domain will continue directing to your site unless manually disconnected (see below).
Canceling a Country Code Domain (ccTLDs - .co.uk, .ca, etc.)
ccTLDs (country-specific domains) do not have a cancellation grace period.
The only option is to disable auto-renew, allowing it to expire.
Check the domain registrar's rules for transfer options.
Transferring or Disconnecting a Domain
If you want to use your domain with another provider, you don't need to cancel it. Instead, you can:
1. Transfer the Domain to Another Host
Open Settings > Domains.
Select the domain and look for Transfer Domain.
Follow the steps to unlock the domain and get the authorization code.
Provide the code to your new registrar to complete the transfer.
2. Disconnect the Domain from Your Site
Open Settings > Domains.
Select the domain and go to DNS Settings.
Click the red trash icon next to Squarespace Defaults.
Delete any records with www, @, or * in the Host column.
The domain will stop pointing to your Squarespace site within 1–72 hours.
Important Considerations
Refund Policy
Domains canceled within 5 days qualify for a full refund.
Domains canceled after 5 days do not qualify for refunds.
Impact on Custom Email Services
If your domain is linked to Google Workspace, Outlook, or Zoho, canceling it will disrupt email services.
Before canceling, set up a new domain for your email or migrate your email service.
Legacy & Free Domains
If you cancel a legacy domain, you can repurchase it, but pricing may differ.
Free domains linked to Squarespace’s annual plans cannot be re-registered for free again.
Final Thoughts
If within 5 days, cancel the domain for a refund.
If past 5 days, disable auto-renew and let it expire.
If using it elsewhere, transfer it instead of canceling.
Always disconnect the domain before canceling if you want to remove it from your site.
Following these steps ensures a smooth transition whether you’re canceling, transferring, or disabling your domain renewal on Squarespace.