Basenames
Name service on Base that maps readable .base.eth names to wallet addresses, built on the ENS protocol.
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Basenames key facts
| Category | Web3 domain service |
|---|---|
| Chains | Base; names usable for sending on other EVM chains |
| Platforms | Web |
| Custody | Self-custody |
| Pricing | Annual: 3 chars 0.1 ETH; 4 chars 0.01 ETH; 5 to 9 chars 0.001 ETH; 10+ chars 0.0001 ETH |
| Free plan | One free 5+ letter name for one year for eligible users, such as Coinbase Verification holders; one discount per address |
| Chains | Deployed on Base; usable for sending and receiving on Base and other EVM chains |
| Open source | Yes, public repository base/basenames |
| US availability | Available: terms restrict only sanctioned jurisdictions |
| Fees | Annual registration fee by name length: 0.0001 ETH (10+ chars) to 0.1 ETH (3 chars) |
What is Basenames?
Basenames is a name service deployed on Base that lets a wallet address use a readable name. It is built on the same technology as ENS. Annual fees depend on length: 0.001 ETH a year for 5 to 9 characters, 0.0001 ETH for 10+, 0.01 ETH for 4 and 0.1 ETH for 3. Holders of a Coinbase Verification can get one 5+ letter name free for a year.
How Basenames works
Basenames are ENS subnames under base.eth, registered natively on Base.
The contracts are a slimmed-down fork of ENS: a Registry stores records, the BaseRegistrar tokenizes each name as an ERC-721 and stores its expiry, the RegistrarController takes payment, and a Stable Price Oracle sets the fee by name length and duration. An Exponential Premium Oracle runs a falling-price auction for names that expire. The L2Resolver holds address and text records, and the ReverseRegistrar sets your primary name.
To resolve a name from Ethereum mainnet, an L1Resolver for base.eth forwards lookups to an off-chain gateway under ENSIP-10 (CCIP-Read). Discounts are handled by discount validator contracts that check eligibility, such as a Coinbase Verification, at registration. Names and records live on Base, while the L1Resolver sits on Ethereum mainnet at the address published in the README. Each name is an ERC-721 token, so it shows up in NFT marketplaces.
How to start with Basenames
- Go to base.org/names, connect a wallet, search a name and pay the annual fee in ETH on Base.
- If you qualify for a discount, such as Coinbase Verification, Coinbase One Verification, a base.eth NFT or a cb.id username acquired before August 9, 2024, the app applies one discount per address and picks the highest-value one.
- After registering you can set the name as your primary name and add profile records.
- Anything you publish is stored on-chain, so skip personal details you want kept private.
Basenames fees and limits
- Annual fees are 0.1 ETH for 3 characters, 0.01 ETH for 4, 0.001 ETH for 5 to 9 and 0.0001 ETH for 10 or more.
- The free-name discount covers one 5+ letter name for one year; on a shorter name or a longer term it counts as a 0.001 ETH credit.
- BNS name owners get a 0.01 ETH credit toward a 4+ letter name.
Each registration or record update also costs Base gas.
Risks to know before using Basenames
- A Basename is rented, not bought.
- When the term ends the name expires and can be released through the premium auction if you do not renew.
- The registrar and resolver contracts sit behind upgradeable proxies with a ProxyAdmin, per the GitHub README, which means their logic can be upgraded.
- Some names are reserved: base.org says a project that finds its name taken should contact the team.
- Profile records are public and permanent on-chain.
Basenames alternatives
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Where Basenames ranks on DappAtlas
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Basenames pros and cons
- 10+ character names cost 0.0001 ETH per year
- One free 5+ letter name for a year with Coinbase Verification and other listed criteria
- Contracts are in a public GitHub repo
- Names are rented per year and must be renewed
- 3 character names cost 0.1 ETH per year
- Profile data you publish is recorded on-chain
Basenames FAQ
What is Basenames?
Basenames is a name service deployed on Base that lets a wallet address use a readable name. It is built on the same technology as ENS. Annual fees depend on length: 0.001 ETH a year for 5 to 9 characters, 0.0001 ETH for 10+, 0.01 ETH for 4 and 0.1 ETH for 3. Holders of a Coinbase Verification can get one 5+ letter name free for a year.
Which chains does Basenames support?
Base; names usable for sending on other EVM chains.
How much does Basenames cost?
Annual registration fee by name length: 0.0001 ETH (10+ chars) to 0.1 ETH (3 chars), according to Basenames’s own page (checked Oct 1, 2026). Free plan: One free 5+ letter name for one year for eligible users, such as Coinbase Verification holders; one discount per address.
Is Basenames available in the US?
Available: terms restrict only sanctioned jurisdictions, according to Basenames’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026).
Does Basenames hold my funds?
No. Basenames is self-custody: you keep your funds in your own wallet and sign each transaction.
Sources
How this page works
Sources: Basenames: official site, Basenames: GitHub repository, Base: Terms of Service. Data as of Oct 1, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.