An A record (Address record) is the most basic and important DNS record type. It maps a domain name to an IPv4 address, telling DNS resolvers which server to connect to when someone types your domain in a browser.
A Record Format
| Field | Example Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Name (host) | example.com | The domain being mapped |
| Type | A | This is an address record |
| TTL | 3600 | Cache this record for 1 hour (3600 seconds) |
| Value | 93.184.216.34 | The IPv4 address to connect to |
A Record vs AAAA Record
An A record holds an IPv4 address (32 bits, e.g., 93.184.216.34). An AAAA record holds an IPv6 address (128 bits, e.g., 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946). Most domains publish both so that IPv6-capable devices use the AAAA record and IPv4-only devices use the A record.
Do I Need a CNAME or A Record?
Use an A record when you know the IP address of your server and want to point a domain or subdomain directly to it. Use a CNAME when you want to point to another domain name (so the IP can change without you updating the record). You cannot use a CNAME for the root domain (example.com itself) - only for subdomains like www.example.com.
How to Add an A Record
Log in to your DNS provider or domain registrar's control panel. Find the DNS management section, add a new record, set type to A, enter the subdomain (or @ for the root domain), and enter the IP address of your server.
People Also Ask
- What is DNS record type A?
- It maps a hostname (like example.com) to an IPv4 address. When your browser looks up a domain, it primarily looks for the A record to find the server's IP.
- Does my domain need an A record?
- Yes, if you want your domain to point to a web server. Without an A record, browsers cannot find your site.
Related: DNS records overview | CNAME records | DNS Lookup