DNS · Website glossary

CNAME record

Quick answer · What is CNAME record?

A DNS record that makes one name an alias of another canonical name.

IN PRACTICE

CNAME record: an example

www.example.com can be an alias of a hostname supplied by a website service.

KEEP IN MIND

A CNAME does not redirect a browser to a different URL; it participates in DNS resolution.

Put the idea to work

Frequently asked questions

What is a practical example of CNAME record?

www.example.com can be an alias of a hostname supplied by a website service.

Does a CNAME redirect a browser to another URL?

A CNAME does not redirect a browser to a different URL; it participates in DNS resolution.

Which concepts should I read alongside CNAME record?

Apex domain: The domain at the top of a particular DNS zone, also called the zone apex.
Redirect: A response or mechanism that sends a user agent from one URL to another.