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A Regional Internet Registry (RIR) is a nonprofit organization that administers and registers Internet number resources—IPv4 addresses, IPv6 addresses, and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs)—in a defined part of the world. The five RIRs distribute those resources to network operators under policies developed by their regional communities. IANA allocates global pools to the RIRs; it is not the ordinary direct source of addresses for ISPs or end users.
What does a Regional Internet Registry do?
An RIR maintains the regional system for allocating and registering Internet number resources. IANA’s June 2015 booklet defines RIRs as “Non-profit corporations that administer and register IP address space numbers within a defined region.” The booklet also describes them as membership-based organizations that distribute resources to network operators according to allocation and assignment policies set by their regional communities.
The resources include IPv4 and IPv6 address space, which provides Internet Protocol addresses, and ASNs, which identify networks for routing. RIRs administer these resources; they do not register domain names.
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How do IP addresses reach an ISP?
The allocation system is hierarchical. IANA coordinates global number resources and allocates pools to the five RIRs under global policies. An RIR then distributes resources within its service region. Depending on the region’s structure, an ISP or other operator may receive resources from the RIR directly or through a local Internet registry (LIR) or national Internet registry (NIR).
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- IANA: allocates global resource pools to RIRs.
- RIR: administers and distributes number resources under regional policy.
- Local or national registry, where applicable: may provide an intermediate allocation or service.
- Network operator: obtains and uses address space or ASNs for its network.
So, when asking who assigns IP addresses to an internet provider, the answer depends on the provider’s region and registry path. IANA generally supplies the RIR level, not the ISP directly.
Which RIR serves each region?
IANA identifies five RIRs and describes their service areas as follows:
| RIR | IANA-described service area |
|---|---|
| AFRINIC | Africa Region |
| APNIC | Asia/Pacific Region |
| ARIN | Canada, the United States, and some Caribbean islands |
| LACNIC | Latin America and some Caribbean islands |
| RIPE NCC | Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia |
These are broad service-area descriptions, not a complete determination of membership or policy boundaries for every location. For a particular country or territory, consult the relevant registry’s current guidance.
Who sets RIR policies?
Each RIR’s regional community develops policy through an open, bottom-up process. Global policy for IP addresses and ASNs is developed across the five RIR communities and ratified through ICANN’s Address Supporting Organization. IANA implements policy; it does not set it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How is an RIR different from a domain registrar?
An RIR administers Internet number resources: IP address space and ASNs. A domain registrar handles domain-name registrations. These are distinct functions, even though both are part of the broader Internet ecosystem.
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