---
id: "alternative-root"
kind: "glossary-term"
title: "alternative root"
language: "en"
category: "Alternative naming systems"
updated: "2026-10-04T14:01:23Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/glossary/alternative-root/"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/glosario/raiz-alternativa/"
  de: "https://tldlog.com/de/glossar/alternative-root/"
  fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/glossaire/racine-alternative/"
  it: "https://tldlog.com/it/glossario/radice-alternativa/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/glossario/raiz-alternativa/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/glossariy/alternativnyy-koren/"
  zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/cihui/tidai-gen/"
---

# alternative root

A DNS root run outside the root zone managed through IANA, often listing extra TLDs. Names in an alternative root work only for users whose software or resolver is set up to use it. They are not part of the global DNS.

## related terms

- [root zone](https://tldlog.com/glossary/root-zone/)
- [blockchain domain](https://tldlog.com/glossary/blockchain-domain/)
- [name collision](https://tldlog.com/glossary/name-collision/)