What is Domain Rating (DR)?
Domain Rating is a score from 0 to 100, created by Ahrefs, that shows how strong a website’s backlink profile is compared with every other website in Ahrefs’ index. The more high-quality websites link to a domain, the higher its DR.
DR is on a logarithmic scale: moving from DR 20 to 30 is far easier than moving from DR 70 to 80. That’s why DR is most useful for comparing sites in the same niche, and for watching your own site grow over time.
What is a good Domain Rating?
There’s no single “good” number. It depends on your niche and your competitors. As a rough guide:
| DR | Level | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–9 | Just starting | New sites with few links from other websites. |
| 10–29 | Sprouting | Early traction: a handful of good backlinks. |
| 30–49 | Growing | A solid, growing site with real links. |
| 50–69 | Established | A well-known site in its niche. |
| 70–89 | Authority | Major brands, publishers and big platforms. |
| 90–100 | Elite | The strongest sites on the web. |
Want to see real examples? Browse websites ranked by DR or explore sites by DR range.
How to improve your Domain Rating
- Earn links from relevant, trusted sites. A few links from respected sites in your niche beat many weak ones.
- Publish content people want to reference, such as original data, tools, guides and free resources.
- Turn brand mentions into links by asking sites that already mention you to link to you.
- Get listed in quality directories and communities that real people in your field use.
- Track your DR over time so you can see what works. Add your site free and we’ll email you when it changes.
Domain Rating checker FAQ
Is this Domain Rating checker free?
Yes. You can check the Ahrefs Domain Rating of any website for free, without signing up.
Where does the DR score come from?
Every score comes from Ahrefs' official Domain Rating API, the same DR you see inside Ahrefs.
What is a good Domain Rating?
It depends on your niche. Most new sites start below 10, DR 30 to 50 is solid for a growing business, DR 50 to 70 is well established, and DR 70 and above is reserved for major brands and publishers.
How often does Domain Rating change?
DR moves as a site gains or loses links from other websites, and as the rest of the web changes. Small moves of a point or two are normal.
How can I track my DR over time?
Add your website for free. We keep tracking its DR automatically, show the full history on its own page, and email you whenever it changes.
Domain Rating by Ahrefs