CNAME record (CNAME)
A CNAME record is a DNS record that makes one hostname an alias of another hostname.
- Format
- Domains & DNS
- Updated
- Updated
CNAME record Also known as CNAME.Aliases: canonical name record, DNS alias.
Definition
A CNAME record is a DNS record that makes one hostname an alias of another hostname.
How it works
A CNAME says: this name is really that name — go look there. Resolvers follow the alias and use the destination's records, which makes CNAMEs handy when several names should track one canonical target. One catch: DNS rules stop a CNAME from sitting alongside other records at the same name, which is why you generally cannot put one on your root domain.
Example: www.example.com can be a CNAME for sites.example.net.
Often confused: A CNAME points at another hostname; A and AAAA records hold the actual IP addresses.
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Last reviewed 2026-07-19.