ENS Names Are NFTs
Every .eth name is an ERC-721 NFT stored on Ethereum. This means transfer and sale work the same way as any other NFT: you can send it directly to another wallet, or list it on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea.
That said, ENS has a specific architecture with two distinct roles — the registrant and the controller — and understanding the difference prevents a lot of confusion.
Registrant vs. Controller
The registrant is the owner of the ENS name at the NFT level. They hold the ERC-721 token. They can transfer the name, renew it, and change who the controller is.
The controller is the address authorized to change the name's DNS records — wallet addresses, resolver entries, text records, IPFS content hashes. The controller and registrant are often the same address, but they do not have to be.
When you transfer an ENS name (as an NFT), you transfer the registrant role. The controller does not automatically transfer along with it. This matters because the new owner will not be able to use the name until they also become the controller.
The fix is simple: before or after transferring, go to app.ens.domains, find the name, and use the "Set Controller" option to point the controller role to the new owner's address. Alternatively, the new owner can set themselves as controller after receiving the name.
How to Transfer an ENS Name
Option 1 — Transfer directly through the ENS app
Go to app.ens.domains, connect your wallet, navigate to the name, and use the Transfer button in the registrant section. This sends the NFT to the address you specify.
Option 2 — Transfer via OpenSea or another NFT marketplace
Since .eth names are ERC-721 tokens, you can transfer them from any NFT interface that supports the standard. The ENS Registrar contract is the ERC-721 contract.
What to do after transfer
The new owner should go to app.ens.domains and set themselves as the controller. Until this is done, they hold the NFT (registrant) but cannot modify the name's records.
How to Sell an ENS Name
Listing on OpenSea
The ENS Name Wrapper (for wrapped names) and the ENS Registrar (for unwrapped names) are both recognized on OpenSea. Search for your name on OpenSea, connect the wallet that owns it, and list it at a fixed price or auction.
ENS names show up under their .eth name on OpenSea's ENS collection. Most serious buyers will search by name, so make sure the listing is visible by name search.
Setting a reserve price vs. accepting offers
If you do not know what your name is worth, listing slightly above market and accepting offers is a reasonable approach. Short names (3–4 characters) with obvious utility trade at significant premiums. Longer or more specific names trade at prices closer to their utility value to the buyer.
Secondary market venues
OpenSea is the dominant secondary market for ENS names. ENS Vision (ens.vision) is an ENS-specific marketplace with better discovery features for buyers looking for names by length, category, or pattern.
Before You Transfer: Check the Expiry Date
If you are selling or gifting a name, the receiver will want to know how long it is registered for. A name expiring next month is worth less than one registered for five years.
Check expiry dates for your names — or any name you are considering buying — using the checker on this page. It shows registration status and expiry in real-time from the contract.