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How To Add Common DNS Records

Last updated

You add these common DNS record types with the same steps in the record editor:

  • A
  • AAAA
  • CNAME
  • ALIAS
  • TXT
  • URL
  • NS (when added inside a zone to delegate a subdomain, not the name servers that delegate the domain itself)

Steps to add a DNS record

To add a DNS record
  1. If you have more than one account, select the relevant one from the account switcher at the top-right corner of the screen.
  2. On the header, click the tab.
  3. Locate the relevant domain, and click on the name to access the domain page.
  4. Click at the top right of the domain page.
  5. Click , and select the record type.
  6. Fill in the Name field, and the value field. The value field is called IP Address for A records, IPv6 Address for AAAA records, Destination URL for URL records, and Content for the others.
  7. Click .

Note

Some hosting providers label fields differently than DNSimple does, which can be confusing if you are copying DNS settings from another provider.

  • In DNSimple, Name = what others might call Host.
  • In DNSimple, Content (or IP Address, IPv6 Address, or Destination URL) = what others might call Value.
Record Type Name (host) Value Example
A Subdomain (for example, www or blog), or blank for the root domain IPv4 address 192.0.2.1
AAAA Same as A record IPv6 address 2001:db8::1
CNAME Subdomain (for example, app) Hostname app-host.example.com
ALIAS Blank for the root domain, or a subdomain Hostname to resolve dynamically example.net
TXT Varies: often blank, _acme-challenge, or a subdomain Verification string or SPF rule "google-site-verification=abc123"
URL Subdomain you want to redirect (for example, shop), or blank for the root domain Destination URL https://store.example.com
NS Subdomain to delegate (for example, blog) Name server hostname ns1.otherdns.com

Helpful tips

  • Leave the Name field blank to refer to the root domain. Some providers use @ for this.
  • A CNAME record cannot coexist with any other record type using the same name. See Manage CNAME Records.
  • For URL records, the destination must be a full URL, starting with http:// or https://.
  • If you are copying a DNS record from another provider, always double-check how they name fields.

Have more questions?

If you have additional questions or need any assistance with your DNS records, just contact support, and we will be happy to help. You can also read more about DNS hosting at DNSimple.