Find Your DNS Settings
Before you can add DNS records, you need to know where your domain's settings are. This guide helps you find them.
Quick Answer: Where Did You Buy Your Domain?
Your DNS settings are usually at the company where you registered (bought) your domain. Common registrars include:
Cloudflare
dash.cloudflare.com
GoDaddy
godaddy.com
Namecheap
namecheap.com
Other Provider
General instructions
I Don't Know Where I Bought My Domain
No problem. Here are several ways to find out:
Option 1: Use who.is (Recommended)
- Go to who.is
- Enter your domain name (e.g.,
yourcompany.io) - Look for "Registrar" in the results
- Also check "Name Servers" — this tells you where DNS is actually managed
Option 2: Use ICANN Lookup
- Go to lookup.icann.org
- Enter your domain name
- Look for "Registrar" in the results
Note: ICANN Lookup works best for .com, .net, .org domains. For other TLDs like .io, .co, .dev, use who.is instead.
Option 3: Command Line (Mac/Linux)
If you're comfortable with the terminal:
whois yourdomain.com | grep -i "registrar\\|name server"Note: The whois command is available by default on Mac and Linux. Windows users should use the web-based options above.
Example result:
Registrar: NameCheap, Inc.
Name Server: rick.ns.cloudflare.com
This means the domain was bought at Namecheap, but DNS is managed at Cloudflare
Important: Registrar vs Name Servers
Where you bought the domain (Registrar) may be different from where DNS is managed (Name Servers). Always check the Name Servers to know where to add DNS records.
Registrar vs DNS Provider vs Hosting
These terms can be confusing. Here's the difference:
| Term | What It Is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Registrar | Where you bought the domain name | GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains |
| DNS Provider | Where your DNS records are managed | Cloudflare, Route 53, your registrar |
| Hosting | Where your website files live | Vercel, Netlify, AWS, your own server |
Key point: Your DNS settings might be at your registrar OR at a separate DNS provider. Many people use Cloudflare for DNS even if they bought their domain elsewhere.
How to Tell Where Your DNS Is Managed
Check Your Registrar First
- Log in to where you bought the domain
- Find your domain settings
- Look for "Nameservers"
If the nameservers point to another company, your DNS is managed there instead:
Common nameservers and where to manage DNS:
| If nameservers contain... | DNS is at... |
|---|---|
*.ns.cloudflare.com | Cloudflare |
dns*.registrar-servers.com | Namecheap |
ns*.domaincontrol.com | GoDaddy |
ns-*.awsdns-*.com | AWS Route 53 |
ns*.google.com | Google Cloud DNS |
ns*.digitalocean.com | DigitalOcean |
dns*.p*.nsone.net | NS1 |
ns*.vercel-dns.com | Vercel |
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Everything at One Place
You bought your domain at GoDaddy and never changed anything. Your DNS settings are at GoDaddy.
Scenario 2: Domain at One Place, DNS at Another
You bought your domain at Namecheap but set up Cloudflare for your website. Your DNS settings are at Cloudflare.
Scenario 3: Managed by Someone Else
Your company's IT team or a web developer manages the domain. Ask them where the DNS is managed, or request they add the records for you.
Still Not Sure?
If you can't figure out where your DNS is managed:
- Check your email for domain registration receipts (search for "domain" or "registration")
- Look at your credit card statements for recurring charges from domain companies
- Ask your IT team or the person who set up your website
- Email [email protected] with your domain name and we'll help you figure it out
Next Steps
Once you know where your DNS is managed, follow the guide for your provider:
- Cloudflare Setup Guide
- GoDaddy Setup Guide
- Namecheap Setup Guide
- General DNS Instructions (for other providers)