How to Add or Edit DNS Records in cPanel

You can use cPanel's Zone Editor to add, edit, or delete DNS records for your domains. This guide covers the three record types most commonly used for websites and email:

• A records point a hostname to an IPv4 address.

• CNAME records point one hostname to another hostname.

• MX records specify which mail servers receive email for a domain.

Before You Begin

Confirm that your domain uses the DNS nameservers associated with your hosting account. If your DNS is managed by another provider, such as Cloudflare or your domain registrar, you must update the records through that provider instead.

DNS changes can affect access to your website and email. Copy all record names, destinations, IP addresses, and priority values exactly as provided by the service you are configuring.

Open the Zone Editor

1. Log in to cPanel.

2. Locate the Domains section.

3. Click Zone Editor.

4. Find the domain you want to update.

5. Click Manage.

The Manage Zone page displays the domain's existing DNS records and allows you to add, edit, or delete records.

How to Add an A Record

An A record points a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address.

1. From the Manage Zone page, click Add Record.

2. Select A as the record type.

3. In the Name field, enter the domain or subdomain you want to configure.

   • Root domain: example.com

   • Subdomain: store.example.com

4. In the Address or Record field, enter the IPv4 address supplied by your hosting provider or service.

5. Leave the default TTL unless you were given a specific value.

6. Click Save Record.

How to Add a CNAME Record

A CNAME record points one hostname to another hostname. It is commonly used for subdomains such as www, shop, or blog.

1. From the Manage Zone page, click Add Record.

2. Select CNAME as the record type.

3. In the Name field, enter the hostname you want to configure, such as www.example.com.

4. In the Record or CNAME field, enter the destination hostname supplied by the service, such as target.example.net.

5. Leave the default TTL unless you were given a specific value.

6. Click Save Record.

Do not include http://, https://, a page path, or an IP address in the CNAME destination.

How to Add an MX Record

An MX record specifies which mail server receives email for your domain.

1. From the Manage Zone page, click the arrow next to Add Record.

2. Select Add MX Record. If that option is not shown, click Add Record and select MX as the record type.

3. Enter the domain in the Name field.

4. Enter the priority supplied by your email provider. A lower number has a higher priority.

5. Enter the mail server hostname in the Destination or Record field.

6. Click Save Record.

Do not enter an IP address in the MX destination field. MX records must point to a hostname.

If you are moving email to an external provider, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, you may also need to open Email Routing in cPanel and select Remote Mail Exchanger. Incorrect email-routing settings can prevent mail delivery.

How to Edit an Existing DNS Record

1. Open Zone Editor in cPanel.

2. Click Manage next to the domain.

3. Locate the record you want to change.

4. Click Edit.

5. Update the necessary values.

6. Click Save Record.

How to Delete a DNS Record

1. Open Zone Editor in cPanel.

2. Click Manage next to the domain.

3. Locate the record you want to remove.

4. Click Delete.

5. Confirm the deletion.

Only delete a DNS record when you are certain it is no longer required. Removing the wrong record can interrupt website or email service.

When Will the DNS Change Take Effect?

DNS changes are not always visible immediately. The time required depends largely on the record's TTL and on DNS caching by internet service providers and local devices.