How to Add DNS Records using Domain.com (A, CNAME, TXT Tutorial 2025)

If you own a domain, you need DNS. It tells the internet where your website lives and how your email should work. In this guide, you will learn what A, CNAME, and TXT records do and how to add them in Domain.com step by step.

DNS in 30 seconds

DNS is the address book of the internet. People type your domain. DNS maps it to the right server or service. You control that mapping inside your domain’s DNS zone.

 

The 3 records you will use most

A record

Points a name to an IPv4 address. Example: yourdomain.com to 203.0.113.10.

CNAME record

Makes an alias that points one name to another name. Example: www.yourdomain.com to yourdomain.com.

TXT record

Stores text. Used for verification and email security like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

 

Before you start on Domain.com

1. Make sure your domain uses Domain.com nameservers. If your DNS is managed elsewhere, change the records where the nameservers point.
2. Have your target values ready.
   • A record target: your host’s IPv4 address.
   • CNAME target: the hostname given by a service, like shops.myplatform.com.
   • TXT value: verification string or SPF policy.
3. Plan a low-traffic time. DNS changes can take minutes to propagate.

 

How to open DNS on Domain.com

1. Log in to Domain.com.
2. Go to your domain list and click Manage on the domain.
3. Open DNS & Nameservers or DNS Management.
4. You will see your DNS zone with existing records.

Tip: If DNS options are locked, your domain may be using external nameservers. Switch to Domain.com nameservers or edit records where DNS is hosted.

 

Add an A record on Domain.com

Use this to point your domain to a server or hosting account.

1. Click Add or Add New Record.
2. Type: A.
3. Host or Name:
   • Use @ for the root domain yourdomain.com.
   • Use a subdomain like shop if you want shop.yourdomain.com.
4. Value or Points to: your IPv4 address, for example 203.0.113.10.
5. TTL: leave default, or set 3600 seconds.
6. Save.

Common setup

• A record @ → 203.0.113.10
• CNAME www → yourdomain.com (see next section)

 

Add a CNAME record on Domain.com

Use this to create aliases and avoid hard coding IPs.

1. Click Add.
2. Type: CNAME.
3. Host or Name:
   • www to make www.yourdomain.com.
   • Any subdomain like blog, cdn, status.
4. Value or Points to: the destination host name, for example yourdomain.com or host.exampleplatform.com.
   • Do not enter an IP in a CNAME.
5. TTL: default or 3600.
6. Save.

Popular example

• CNAME www → yourdomain.com
• This makes www follow whatever your root domain resolves to.

 

Add a TXT record on Domain.com

TXT records handle verification and email security.

1. Click Add.
2. Type: TXT.
3. Host or Name:
   • Use @ for the root domain unless the service gives a specific host.
   • For Google site verification you might see google-site-verification as the Host.
4. Value: paste the exact text string from the provider.
5. TTL: default or 3600.
6. Save.

Email security TXT examples

• SPF
  • Host: @
  • Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.yourmailservice.com ~all
  • Purpose: authorizes senders for your domain. Use only one SPF TXT per domain. Combine includes if needed.
• DKIM
  • Host: something like default._domainkey or selector1._domainkey (provided by your email service)
  • Value: long key that starts with v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=…
• DMARC
  • Host: _dmarc
  • Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com;
  • Start with p=none to monitor. Move to quarantine or reject after reviewing reports.

 

Example setups you can copy

Basic website with www

• A, Host @, Value 203.0.113.10, TTL 3600
• CNAME, Host www, Value yourdomain.com, TTL 3600

 

Point blog to an external host

• CNAME, Host blog, Value sites.examplehost.com, TTL 3600

 

Email security starter

• TXT, Host @, Value v=spf1 include:_spf.mailprovider.com ~all
• TXT, Host selector1._domainkey, Value v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=LONG_KEY
• TXT, Host _dmarc, Value v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com;

 

How long do DNS changes take

Most changes show within 5 to 30 minutes. Full propagation can take up to 24 to 48 hours. Your local cache may delay what you see. Test with an external DNS checker if needed.

 

Troubleshooting checklist

• Records not updating
  • Confirm you are editing DNS where the nameservers point.
  • Remove duplicate or conflicting records for the same Host and Type.
• CNAME not working
  • Make sure the Value is a host name, not an IP.
• SPF failing
  • Only one SPF TXT allowed. Merge multiple policies into one line.
• DKIM failing
  • Check the exact selector and remove extra spaces or line breaks.
• DMARC blocking mail
  • Start with p=none. Move to quarantine or reject after you confirm alignment.
• The site shows the wrong server
  • Clear your browser cache and DNS cache. Update the A record to the correct IP.

 

Good habits for clean DNS

• Keep your zone tidy. Remove records you no longer use.
• Document every change with date and reason.
• Use consistent TTLs like 3600 except during cutovers.
• During a migration, lower TTL to 300 an hour before changes, then restore later.

 

Quick reference

• @ means the root domain yourdomain.com.
• www is a common subdomain, often a CNAME to the root.
• A points to an IPv4 address.
• CNAME points to another host name.
• TXT stores verification and email policies.