CNAME Record Lookup
Look up canonical name records to see exactly where a domain or subdomain is pointing.
What is a CNAME Record?
Think of a CNAME (Canonical Name) record like a nickname or a forwarding address for a website. Instead of pointing to an IP address (a bunch of numbers), it points one domain name to another domain name.
For example, if you want your visitors to be able to type www.example.com and end up at your main website example.com, you would use a CNAME record to point the "www" version to the main version. If your main website's IP address ever changes, the CNAME will automatically follow it!
Why Do People Use CNAME Records?
They are incredibly helpful for keeping websites organized and connected to other tools.
Connecting to Third-Party Services
If you build a store on Shopify, you don't want to type in an IP address. You create a CNAME record on shop.yourdomain.com that points directly to shops.myshopify.com.
Managing Multiple Services
You can use CNAMEs to point mail.example.com and ftp.example.com to the same place. If the server ever moves, you only have to update the main record!
The Two Big Rules of CNAMEs
Rule 1: They cannot point to an IP address
If you need to point your domain directly to an IP address (like 192.168.1.1), you must use an A Record. A CNAME must always point to another name (like server.example.com).
Rule 2: You cannot put them on your "Root" domain
You can put a CNAME on a subdomain (like blog.example.com). But you are not allowed to put a CNAME on your main, root domain (example.com). Doing this breaks your domain and causes emails to stop working. For a more technical explanation, read Cloudflare's guide to CNAME records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CNAME stand for?
CNAME stands for 'Canonical Name'. It means 'the true name'. When you create a CNAME, you are telling the internet that the true name of this web address is actually located somewhere else.
Can a CNAME point to an IP address?
No. A CNAME record must always point to another domain name. If you need to point a domain directly to an IP address, you must use an A record (for IPv4) or an AAAA record (for IPv6).
Can I use a CNAME on my main domain?
No. Due to strict DNS rules, you cannot put a CNAME record on your root domain (like example.com). CNAMEs can only be used on subdomains (like www.example.com or shop.example.com).
Why is my CNAME not working?
It might take time to update. DNS changes can take a few hours to propagate across the internet depending on your TTL settings. Also, ensure you haven't accidentally pointed the CNAME to an IP address, or placed it on your root domain, as both will cause errors.
What is the difference between a CNAME and an A Record?
An A record translates a domain name directly into an IP address. A CNAME record translates a domain name into another domain name, forcing the browser to do a second lookup to finally find the IP address.