Telegram Wants to Turn Usernames Into .gram Web Addresses

Telegram has applied to create a “.gram” top-level domain, which could give its users personalised web addresses linked to their usernames.

Founder Pavel Durov announced the application on X. If ICANN approves it, a Telegram username such as @durov could become durov.gram.

Telegram has applied for the .gram domain zone.

If the application is approved by ICANN, a billion Telegram users could get their own second-level domains — yourname.gram.

Users would be able to set up their interactive websites hosted by Telegram — with one prompt ✨

— Pavel Durov (@durov) August 18, 2026

The company also plans to let users build interactive websites on these domains. Durov said users could create the sites with a single natural-language prompt.

Telegram submitted the application to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). However, the application does not guarantee approval.

ICANN will conduct technical and financial assessments before making a decision. The process also includes a public objections period and other reviews.

The application came during ICANN’s 2026 round for new generic top-level domains. The application window closed on August 12, with more than 1,600 applications submitted.

Applicants pay about $227,000 for each new top-level domain. The full evaluation process can also take more than a year.

ICANN plans to publish the list of applicants during its “Reveal Day” process. The organisation expects to do so no later than nine weeks after the application window closed.

For the company, owning the domain could also reduce its reliance on external registries. The company experienced a major disruption to its t.me short links in July.

The service stopped working for nearly a day after the registrar controlling the “.me” domain temporarily disabled Telegram’s domain.

A dedicated “.gram” domain would give the company greater control over its web infrastructure. It could also reduce the risk of similar disruptions affecting links across the platform.

Meanwhile, the proposal could expand the app beyond messaging and social features. Users could potentially turn their Telegram identities into web addresses and interactive sites.

The app has more than one billion users, according to Durov’s announcement. However, users will only receive .gram domains if ICANN approves the application and Telegram proceeds with the service.

The company has not provided a timeline for when username.gram addresses could become available.