What is an A record / CNAME / MX record?

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What is an A record, CNAME, and MX record?

Overview

DNS records control how your domain connects to different services like your website and email. The most common records you’ll see are A, CNAME, and MX records.

A Record (Address Record)

An A record connects your domain to a specific server IP address.

What it does:

  • Points your website to your hosting server
  • Tells browsers where your website is located

Example:

  • yourdomain.com → 185.237.12.30

When you use it:

  • When setting up or changing website hosting

CNAME Record (Canonical Name)

A CNAME record points one domain or subdomain to another domain name instead of an IP address.

What it does:

  • Creates an alias for another domain
  • Commonly used for subdomains

Example:

When you use it:

  • To redirect www versions of your site
  • For services like verification or third-party tools

MX Record (Mail Exchange)

An MX record controls where your email is delivered.

What it does:

  • Routes incoming emails to the correct mail server
  • Essential for sending and receiving email

Example:

  • mail.yourdomain.com handles all email for your domain

When you use it:

  • When setting up email hosting
  • When changing email providers

Important Notes

  • Incorrect DNS records can cause your website or email to stop working
  • DNS changes can take 24–48 hours to fully update worldwide
  • Always double-check values before saving changes

Need Help?

If you’re unsure which DNS record to change or need help setting up your domain correctly, our support team is happy to assist.

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