DNS Setup for Netlify

Configure DNS records for Netlify with our complete setup guide. Includes A record, CNAME, and custom domain configuration steps.

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Custom Domain DNS Setup for Netlify

Netlify lets you connect any custom domain to a site deployed through its platform. DNS configuration for Netlify is straightforward, but the record type you use depends on whether you are pointing a root domain (apex) or a subdomain, and whether you want to use Netlify's CDN-optimised DNS or manage records at your existing registrar.

Option 1: Netlify DNS (Recommended)

For the best performance and automatic SSL certificate provisioning, Netlify recommends transferring DNS management to Netlify's own nameservers. Log in to the Netlify dashboard, navigate to Domain Management, click "Add Custom Domain," and enter your domain. Netlify will display four nameserver addresses. Go to your domain registrar and update the NS records to point to these Netlify nameservers. Once propagation completes (typically 1-24 hours), Netlify automatically provisions Let's Encrypt SSL certificates and handles all routing.

With Netlify DNS, you can use NETLIFY records — a proprietary CNAME-like record type that works at the root domain level, bypassing the standard DNS restriction that prevents CNAME records at the apex. This means both example.com and www.example.com can point to Netlify's CDN edge nodes.

Option 2: External DNS with A and CNAME Records

If you prefer to keep DNS at your current provider, use the following configuration:

  • Root domain (apex): Create an A record for @ pointing to Netlify's load balancer IP: 75.2.60.5. Some registrars support ANAME or ALIAS records at the apex — these are equivalent and provide better failover.
  • www subdomain: Create a CNAME record for www pointing to your Netlify site URL: your-site-name.netlify.app.
  • Other subdomains: Create CNAME records pointing to your-site-name.netlify.app.

After adding these records, return to the Netlify dashboard and click "Verify DNS configuration." Netlify will confirm the records are resolving correctly and begin issuing the SSL certificate. SSL provisioning typically takes 5-15 minutes after DNS verification.

Configuring Email Alongside a Netlify Site

If you host email at Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another provider while your website runs on Netlify, you must configure both sets of records at your DNS provider. When using external DNS (Option 2 above), add Netlify's A record for the root domain and your email provider's MX records simultaneously. There is no conflict — MX records and A records for the same domain coexist without issue.

For email authentication, add your email provider's SPF TXT record alongside the Netlify A record:

  • SPF example for Google Workspace: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
  • Add DKIM and DMARC TXT records provided by your email provider to complete email authentication setup.

Use the MX record lookup to verify your mail records are resolving correctly, and the TXT record checker to confirm SPF and DKIM are in place.

Troubleshooting Netlify DNS Issues

  • SSL certificate pending: Netlify needs to verify domain ownership via DNS before issuing a certificate. If the SSL status stays "Waiting on DNS propagation" for more than an hour, use the DNS propagation checker to confirm your A or CNAME record is resolving correctly worldwide.
  • www redirects not working: Ensure both the root and www records are configured. Netlify handles the canonical redirect between them only when both point to Netlify-controlled endpoints.
  • CNAME flattening issues: Some registrars do not support CNAME records at the apex. If yours does not, you must either switch to Netlify DNS or use an ALIAS/ANAME record if your registrar supports it. Use the A record fallback (75.2.60.5) if neither option is available.
  • Branch deploys on subdomains: Netlify branch deploy URLs follow the format branch-name--site-name.netlify.app. To map a custom subdomain to a branch, add a CNAME pointing to that branch deploy URL, then register the subdomain in the Netlify dashboard under Domain Management.

Verify your DNS configuration with the DNS propagation checker to see results from 50+ global servers. For a complete walkthrough of Netlify DNS setup, see the Netlify DNS Setup Guide. If you are also setting up Vercel or another platform, compare the DNS requirements in DNS for Vercel and DNS for Render.