A CNAME record (Canonical Name record) is a type of DNS entry that points one domain name to another domain name, rather than to an IP address. Think of it as an alias: instead of saying “this name lives at this IP”, a CNAME says “this name is really just another name for that one”. CNAME records are extremely common when connecting third-party services to your domain.
How a CNAME differs from an A record #
The key difference is what each record points to. An A record maps a name directly to a numeric IP address, while a CNAME maps a name to another hostname, which is then resolved to an IP. This matters because if the target’s IP ever changes, a CNAME keeps working automatically, whereas an A record would need updating. In short:
- A record: name to IP address (for example, yourdomain.com to 192.0.2.10).
- CNAME: name to another name (for example, www.yourdomain.com to yourdomain.com).
Common uses for CNAME records #
- The www version: pointing www.yourdomain.com to your root domain.
- Third-party tools: connecting services like email marketing platforms, help desks, or website builders that ask you to add a CNAME.
- Verification: some providers use a CNAME to confirm you own the domain.
- Subdomains for external services: pointing shop.yourdomain.com to a hosted store platform.
How to add a CNAME record #
- Log in to your DNS manager or control panel.
- Open the DNS or Zone Editor section.
- Create a new CNAME record.
- Enter the subdomain name in the host field (for example, www or shop).
- Enter the target hostname in the value field, exactly as the service provided.
- Save and allow time for propagation.
Important rules to remember #
There are a couple of limits worth knowing. A CNAME cannot be used on the root domain (the bare “yourdomain.com”) in standard DNS, so the root normally uses an A record while “www” uses a CNAME. Also, a hostname that has a CNAME should not have other records of the same name, as this causes conflicts.
Troubleshooting #
- Service not verifying: confirm the target value matches exactly, with no trailing typos.
- Conflict errors: remove any duplicate records for the same host.
- Not resolving yet: allow time for propagation and re-check with a DNS lookup.
Need help? #
If a third-party service is asking for a CNAME and you are unsure where to put it, our support team can add it correctly for you over live chat.
