Manage DNS records

Consider the sections below for step-by-step instructions on managing DNS records at Cloudflare.

To better understand what DNS records are, refer to Overview. For context around common records you want to review when getting started at Cloudflare, refer to review DNS records.

Note

If your domain is added to Cloudflare by a hosting partner, manage your DNS records via the hosting partner.

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Basic operations

Create DNS records

Dashboard

To create a DNS record in the dashboard:

1. In the Cloudflare dashboard, go to the DNS Records page.

   Go to Records

2. Select Add record.

3. Choose a record Type.

4. Complete the required fields, which vary per record. Particularly important fields (for some records) include:

   • Proxy status: For A, AAAA, and CNAME records, decide whether hostname traffic is proxied through Cloudflare.
   • TTL: Short for Time to Live, this field controls how long each record is valid and — as a result — how long it takes for record updates to reach your end users.
   • Comment and Tag: Record attributes meant for your reference.

5. Select Save.

API

To create records with the API, use a POST request. For field definitions, select a record type under the request body specification.

For specific API examples, refer to DNS record types.

Edit DNS records

Dashboard

To edit DNS records in the dashboard:

1. In the Cloudflare dashboard, go to the DNS Records page.

   Go to Records

2. On a specific record, select Edit.

3. Make any necessary changes.

4. Select Save.

API

To update part of a record with the API, use a PATCH request. If you want to overwrite the entire existing record, use a PUT request.

Delete DNS records

Dashboard

To delete DNS records in the dashboard:

1. In the Cloudflare dashboard, go to the DNS Records page.

   Go to Records

2. On a specific record, select Edit.

3. Select Delete.

4. Select Delete again to confirm.

API

To delete records with the API, use a DELETE request.

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Use cases

Update an origin IP address

If your hosting provider changes or your origin IP address changes, update the Content value of the relevant DNS records (usually A or AAAA records).

If you are not sure which IP address to use, refer to your hosting provider's documentation.

Originless setups

If you need a placeholder address for an originless setup (also referred to as parked domain or redirect-only), you can use the reserved IPv6 address 100:: or the reserved IPv4 address 192.0.2.0 in a proxied DNS record.

This allows you to route requests using products such as Redirect Rules, Page Rules, or Workers.

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Further guidance

• Manage DNS records
• Create zone apex record
• Create subdomain records
• Set up email records
• Import and export records
• Batch record changes
• Dynamically update DNS records
• Round-robin DNS
• Delegate subdomains