---
title: "How to Create a CNAME Record"
description: "Date: 7/30/19 | Reading time: About 1 minute Most people are not getting enough out of their domains. The Domain Name System is incredibly powerful, but if you're not using it properly it's not going..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/domain-names/create-cname-record/
date: 2016-06-14
modified: 2023-06-07
author: "InMotion Hosting Contributor"
categories: ["Domain Names"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How to Create a CNAME Record

Date: 7/30/19 | Reading time: About 1 minute

Most people are not getting enough out of their domains. The Domain Name System is incredibly powerful, but if you’re not using it properly it’s not going to get you very far. For example, if you just have a domain pointing to a website, what can you do if you want the domain to be used for other purposes like email or pointing to a different server for different resources.

CNAMES to the rescue! CNAMES let you create alternative hostnames that turn your cPanel into a sort of traffic cop, redirecting traffic here and there and wherever you need it to go.

In this article, we’ll cover how to:

- [Learn The Various CNAME Options Available](#options)
- [How To Create a CNAME Record in Your cPanel](#create-a-cname-record-in-cpanel)
- [Adding a CNAME Record in WHM](#add-cname-in-whm)
- [Getting The Most Out Of Your Hosting](#most-hosting)

DNS changes (such as creating CNAME records) can take up to 24 hours to push out globally.

## Learn The Various CNAME Options Available

Here’s an explanation of the CNAME options and a description of each:

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Type | CNAME |
| Name | test.example.com. |
| TTL | The default setting is *14400*, or *4 hours*. |
| CNAME | testexample.wordpress.com |

These are also the settings you will use when you follow the steps below.

## How To Create a CNAME Record in Your cPanel

1. [Log into cPanel](/support/edu/cpanel/access-cpanel-via-whm/)
2. Click **Zone Editor** under the *Domains* section [![](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/create_cnames_-01.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/create_cnames_-01.png)
3. Select **+CNAME Record** for the domain [![+CNAME record](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/create_cnames_-02.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/create_cnames_-02.png)
4. Fill in the name and desired domain [![Add Record](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/create_cnames_-03.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/create_cnames_-03.png)
5. Click **Add a CNAME Record** [![Click Add Button](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/create_cnames_-04.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/create_cnames_-04.png)

## Adding a CNAME Record in WHM

1. [Login to WHM](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/whm/log-into-whm/).
2. Click the **Edit DNS Zone** link in the *DNS Functions* section. [![Edit DNS Zone](https://inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/whm_whm_editDNSzone_highlight.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/whm_whm_editDNSzone_highlight.png)
3. Click the domain you want to create the CNAME for, then click the **Edit** button. [![Choose Domain and click enter](https://inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/whm_dns-zone-editor_dnsZoneEditor_selectDomainEdit_highlight.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/whm_dns-zone-editor_dnsZoneEditor_selectDomainEdit_highlight.png)
4. Scroll to the bottom and you will see an *Add New Entries Below this Line* section. Click the **Select** drop-down menu, then click **CNAME**. [![Add New Entries](https://inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dns_create-cname-record_whm-select-cname.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dns_create-cname-record_whm-select-cname.png)
5. In the first field enter your CNAME entry. In my example, I am entering: test
6. Enter your Hostname in the available field, then click the **Save** button. In my example, I am entering example.com. (14400 will automatically be filled in the TTL section). [![Enter Hostname and save](https://inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dns_create-cname-record_saving-cname-record.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dns_create-cname-record_saving-cname-record.png)

## Getting The Most Out Of Your Hosting

Well done! You now know how to create CNAMES in cPanel and WHM. CNAMES are yet another way for you to get the most out of your hosting account and take advantage of all the resources available to you. Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any further questions.