---
title: "How Do I Add DNS Records?"
description: "What is DNS? Domain Name System (DNS) is the component of the Internet which converts human-readable domain names (e.g., example.com) into computer-readable IP addresses (e.g., 86.75.30.9). It does..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/cpanel/how-do-i-make-custom-dns-records/
date: 2011-08-26
modified: 2023-10-31
author: "InMotion Hosting Contributor"
categories: ["cPanel", "DNS and Nameserver Changes"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How Do I Add DNS Records?

## What is DNS?

**Domain Name System (DNS)** is the component of the Internet which converts human-readable domain names (e.g., example.com) into computer-readable IP addresses (e.g., 86.75.30.9). It does this according to **DNS Zone files** configured on your server.

## What is a DNS Record?

A DNS record points specific parts of your DNS to a domain or IP. For example, we have many users that subscribe to G Suite. If you want to use Google’s (instead of InMotion Hosting’s) servers for your email, you will need to point your **MX Records** to Google’s mail servers. Google provides you with these records, [here](https://support.google.com/a/answer/174125?hl=en).

Another example of a DNS record is a **CNAME record**. A CNAME record simply points a domain to another domain. The most common, yet transparent, CNAME record example would be the *www* subdomain that simply points to the domain without *www*. A DNS lookup of the www.example.com CNAME record would indicate to resolve the A record for example.com and navigate to the IP stored in that A record. This allows visitors of your site to use www.example.com or example.com to reach your site and see the same content.

## How Long Do DNS Changes Take?

DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to take effect. This period of time is referred to as [propagation](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/domain-names/dns-nameserver-changes/complete-guide-to-dns-records/).

## How do I view and add DNS records?

Before you make any DNS changes, make sure that you understand the records you are adding and the effect they may have on your website or web-based application. Follow the directions below to view and add the DNS records for the domains in your account.

### How to View DNS Records

You can view most of your DNS records in the [**Zone Editor**](/support/edu/cpanel/advanced-dns-editor-cpanel/#dns-view), which is in cPanel under the *Domains* section.

### How to Add Common DNS Records

**NOTE:** In order to follow any of the steps in our tutorials, you must have a hosting account. If you have a domain name only account (you have only purchased a domain name but no hosting), you will not have access to cPanel in order to make any DNS changes.

### Shared Servers

To add *A, MX, and CNAME* records, you will need to access the, **Zone Editor** within your cPanel. This feature is located within cPanel’s *Domains* section. Here is a link to our guide providing instructions for [adding DNS records using the cPanel Zone Editor](/support/edu/cpanel/advanced-dns-editor-cpanel/#dns-add).

### VPS and Dedicated Servers

If you are on a [Virtual Private Server (VPS)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/vps-hosting) or Dedicated server, you also will have access to the **Zone Editor**. Not only will the Zone Editor allow you to add DNS records, but it will allow you to edit current records as well.

Instructions on adding A records and CNAME records in both cPanel and WHM can be found here:

- [A Records](/support/domain-names/dns-nameserver-changes/a-record-change/)
- [CNAME Records](/support/domain-names/create-cname-record/)

## SPF and DomainKeys

SPF and DomainKeys are types of TXT records, and are tools used by many mail servers in an effort to combat spam. To find out more information on these types of records, please see the following page: [Fighting Spam with SPF and DKIM](/support/email/spf-records-domain-keys-combating-spam/)