Domain Rating (DR) is Ahrefs’ authority metric that evaluates the strength and quality of a website’s backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100.
It helps you understand how powerful your site is in terms of link authority and how it compares to competitors.
Before you start any link-building campaign, you should always know your DR. I use it regularly to benchmark sites, analyze competitors, and track the impact of ongoing SEO work.
In this guide, I will walk you through the exact methods I use to check Domain Rating in Ahrefs.
Steps to Check Your Domain Rating in Ahrefs
1. Use the Ahrefs Website Authority Checker (Free)
You can check your domain rating for free using Ahrefs’ Website Authority Checker.
Open the Ahrefs Website Authority Checker in your browser, enter your domain name, and click the Check Authority button.
After completing the captcha, the tool will show your Domain Rating along with basic backlink insights. This is the quickest way to check DR without signing in.
2. Check Website DR Using the Ahrefs SEO Toolbar Extension (Free)
If you want to monitor DR more frequently, the Ahrefs Chrome extension is a helpful option.
Install the Ahrefs SEO Toolbar from the Chrome Web Store.
Pin the extension to your browser.
Log in or create a free Ahrefs account.
Visit your website and click the Ahrefs icon.
The extension displays your Domain Rating instantly. I use this method often because it shows DR directly on the extension icon, which makes quick checks very convenient.
Do you know?
Research shows that long-form content attracts significantly more links, earning about 77.2% more backlinks than shorter articles.
3. Check DR Using Site Explorer (Paid)
If you have a paid plan, Site Explorer gives you the most detailed breakdown.
- Open Site Explorer in Ahrefs.
- Enter your domain and click Search.
- In the Overview dashboard, go to the Backlink Profile section.
Here you will see two important metrics, like Domain Rating (DR) and Ahrefs Rank (AR)
These numbers help you measure your link authority and understand where your website stands in comparison to competitors.
Conclusion
Domain Rating is an important indicator of your website’s overall link strength. I check it regularly for all sites I manage because it gives a clear snapshot of authority growth, link-building progress, and competitive standing.
Whether you use the free tools or the full Site Explorer dashboard, monitoring DR helps you make informed decisions and build a stronger, more trustworthy SEO foundation.
