How to edit DNS records in cPanel

This guide shows how to add and change DNS records for your domain using the Zone Editor in cPanel.

Before you start

The Zone Editor only controls your domain if it uses our nameservers: ns1.whgbdns.com to ns4.whgbdns.com. If your domain uses another company’s nameservers, changes here won’t have any effect. Make them at that company instead, or see how to change your nameservers.

Open the Zone Editor

1. Log in to cPanel. See how to log in to cPanel.
2. In the Domains section, click Zone Editor.
3. Find your domain in the list and click Manage.

You’ll see the records already set up for the domain. Leave any you don’t recognise alone unless you’re sure what they do.

Add a record

1. Click Add Record. On some versions, click the small arrow next to it to choose the type.
2. Choose the record type.
3. Fill in the name, TTL and value. The list below explains what each type is for.
4. Click Save Record.

• A points a name at a server’s IP address, for example 192.0.2.10.
• CNAME points a name at another name, for example shops.example-provider.com.
• MX says which server receives email for the domain. It has a value, such as mail.yourdomain.co.uk, and a priority, such as 0 or 10. Lower numbers are tried first.
• TXT holds text, such as an SPF record or a verification code from another service.

The name is the part before your domain. For www.yourdomain.co.uk, enter www. For the domain itself, use the domain name as shown in the list.

To change an existing record, click Edit next to it, make your change and click Save Record. To remove one, click Delete.

What TTL means

TTL stands for time to live. It’s the number of seconds other computers keep a copy of the record before checking again. 3600 means one hour. A lower number means changes are picked up sooner. If you’re about to make an important change, you can lower the TTL a day beforehand, then raise it again afterwards.

If it doesn’t work

• Nothing changes after saving. Check the domain uses our nameservers. Then allow for the old TTL to run out.
• The record shows as invalid. Check for extra spaces, and that you haven’t typed the full domain into the name box when only the first part was needed.
• Email stopped after changing MX. Check the MX value and priority match what your email provider gave you.

Good to know

To use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for email, see how to use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace email with your domain. For email security records, see how to set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC.

Still stuck? Open a support ticket and we’ll help.