DNS guide
What the records in your domain’s zone do, in plain words.
The six records you will meet
A domain’s DNS zone is a short list of records. Each has a type, a name, the place it points to and a TTL: how long other networks may remember it.
example.com
Type
Name
Points to
TTL
What it does for you
@
203.0.113.24
3600
Points the domain to a server’s IPv4 address. Change it to move the website.
@
2001:db8::24
3600
The same for IPv6 addresses. Many networks use both.
www
example.com
3600
Makes one name an alias of another. Used for www. and for services like shops.
@
mail.example.com
3600
Says which server receives email for the domain. Has a priority number.
@
v=spf1 …
3600
Free text that other services read: SPF, DKIM and proof that you own the domain.
@
ns1.example.com
86400
Names the servers that hold the zone. Change these and every record moves with them.
Example values from the ranges set aside for documentation.
How long a change takes
Networks remember each record for its TTL. If a record has a TTL of 3600, some visitors may see the old answer for up to an hour after you change it.
Lower the TTL a day ahead
Set it to 300 seconds before a planned move.
Change the record
In your account, or ask support to do it.
Wait one old TTL
Then everybody sees the new answer.
Raise the TTL again
Back to 3600, so lookups stay quick.
Tell us what you have now
Send your domain and where the site lives today. We reply within one working day with the plan that fits and the price, and we move the site for free.