Easy Tech TutsHow to Add CNAME Record in Cloudflare, Create & Change Easily 2026
By Impran M N
CNAME records let you point a subdomain, like www or blog, at another domain rather than an IP address, which is common when using third-party platforms. This guide covers creating and editing CNAME records in Cloudflare's DNS panel.
01Open the DNS Records grid
Select your domain in Cloudflare and open the DNS Records panel from the sidebar.
02Click Add Record
Click '+ Add Record' to open the field configuration panel.
03Set the type to CNAME
Change the Type dropdown to select the CNAME format.
04Enter your subdomain and target
Type your subdomain handle, such as 'www' or 'blog', and match it to your external destination domain name.
05Set the proxy status and save
Toggle between proxied (orange cloud, for edge speed and security) or DNS Only (gray cloud, for direct routing), then save to deploy the record.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a CNAME record for my root domain?
Generally no, most DNS standards restrict CNAME records to subdomains rather than the apex root; use an A record for the root domain instead.
What's the benefit of proxying a CNAME record?
Proxying enables Cloudflare's caching, DDoS protection, and SSL features for that subdomain's traffic.
Why would I need to edit an existing CNAME record?
You might need to point a subdomain at a different destination, such as when switching third-party service providers.
How do I verify a CNAME record is resolving correctly?
You can check it directly in the DNS Records grid or use an external DNS lookup tool to confirm it points to the expected destination.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
