Websites · Glossary
What is an A record?
An A record is the DNS entry that maps a domain name to an IPv4 address, the numeric address of a server, such as 192.0.2.10. When someone visits the name, their browser asks DNS for its A record and connects to that address. An AAAA record does the same for the longer IPv6 addresses.
The A stands for address. It is the oldest and most basic DNS record, and nearly every domain has at least one.
Nuwan Madhusanka · Co-founder
3 min read · Published
What it does
DNS turns names into addresses. An A record is the line that says this name lives at this IPv4 address. A browser that looks up the name receives the address and connects to it. A domain can have several A records, which lets traffic be spread over several servers.
A record versus CNAME
An A record points to a number; a CNAME points to another name. A records suit servers with fixed addresses. CNAMEs suit hosted platforms whose addresses change or are spread across many locations, because the platform updates its own name and your record never needs editing.
Where you still see them
On the bare domain, where a CNAME is not allowed, many providers still use A records. Email providers sometimes ask for A records on mail hosts. Older website hosts give an IP address to put in an A record. Modern builders more often ask for a CNAME, or an ALIAS at the apex.
Common mistakes
Changing the A record of the bare domain and breaking a site that was working, leaving an old A record pointing at a host you no longer pay for, and adding a builder CNAME on a name that still has an A record, which most providers refuse. Remove the old record for that name first.
Where it shows up in OneCraft
Connecting a custom domain uses a CNAME for the host and a TXT record for verification, not an A record. For a bare domain, the domains card asks for an ALIAS or ANAME record at your provider, which works like a CNAME at the apex. If your provider offers neither, use www as the primary domain.
Questions people ask
Do I need to change my A record to connect a website builder?
Usually not. Most builders ask for a CNAME on www and an ALIAS or ANAME on the bare domain, or a redirect from the bare domain to www. Only change an A record if the builder gives you a specific IP address and tells you which name to put it on.
What is an AAAA record?
It is the IPv6 version of an A record, pointing a name at the longer IPv6 address format. Many networks serve both, and browsers pick whichever works. You rarely need to add one by hand for a hosted website, because the platform handles its own addresses.
Can a domain have both an A record and a CNAME?
Not on the same name. A name with a CNAME cannot carry other records, so you must remove the A record for www before adding a CNAME there. The bare domain can keep its A records while www uses a CNAME, which is a very common setup.
Why does my old site still appear after changing records?
DNS answers are cached for the time set in each record TTL, so some visitors keep the old address until it expires. Wait a few hours, test from a phone on mobile data, and check that the old record was actually removed rather than left beside the new one.
What does the at sign mean in DNS settings?
Many providers use @ to stand for the bare domain itself, such as example.com. A record with the name @ applies to the apex, while a record named www applies to www.example.com. Providers that add the domain automatically expect just @ or www in the name field.
Make one with websites
The button opens the generator with this use case already described. Change the wording to match your own.
Create a website with OneCraftRelated questions
- What is a CNAME record?What is a CNAME record? A DNS entry that points one name, like www.yourdomain.com, at another name. What it does, why builders ask for one, and the apex catch.
- How long does DNS propagation take?How long does DNS propagation take? Usually minutes to a few hours, up to 48 hours in rare cases. Why changes are slow, how to check them and what to fix.
- What is a subdomain?What is a subdomain? The part of a web address in front of the main domain, like shop in shop.example.com. How subdomains work and when to use one.
Written and checked by the OneCraft team. Last checked .