> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/ovh/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Domains & DNS

> Register, transfer, and manage domain names and configure DNS records for your services.

OVHcloud lets you register and manage domain names alongside your hosting services. DNS (Domain Name System) zones map your domain name to IP addresses and other services. You manage both from the OVHcloud Control Panel under **Web Cloud**.

***

## Registering a domain name

1. Go to [OVHcloud domain name registration](https://www.ovhcloud.com/en-gb/domains/) and search for the domain you want.
2. Select an available extension (.com, .co.uk, .fr, etc.) and add it to your basket.
3. Complete the order, providing registrant contact details as required by the registry.
4. OVHcloud creates a DNS zone automatically for the domain on OVHcloud name servers.

<Note>
  Some domain extensions have additional eligibility requirements (for example, .co.uk requires a UK registrant, and some country-code TLDs require local presence). Check the extension's registry rules before ordering.
</Note>

***

## Transferring a domain to OVHcloud

To transfer an existing domain from another registrar:

1. Unlock the domain at your current registrar and obtain the **EPP/auth code** (also called transfer code or authorization code).
2. In the OVHcloud Control Panel, go to **Web Cloud** > **Domains** and click **Transfer a domain**.
3. Enter your domain name and the EPP code.
4. Complete the order. OVHcloud sends a confirmation email to the registrant address.
5. Approve the transfer when prompted by email. The transfer completes within 5–7 days for most extensions.

<Warning>
  Do not let your domain expire before initiating a transfer. Most registries lock domains during the last 30 days before expiry, and expired domains may enter a redemption period with recovery fees.
</Warning>

***

## DNS zone management

A DNS zone is the configuration file for your domain. It contains records that tell resolvers where to send traffic for your domain.

### Adding a DNS record

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the DNS zone">
    In the [OVHcloud Control Panel](https://www.ovh.com/manager/), go to **Web Cloud** > **DNS zones** and select your domain name. The table displays all current DNS records.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add an entry">
    On the right side of the table, click **Add an entry**. A window opens listing all supported record types.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the record type">
    Choose the type of record you want to add (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.). A form appears for the selected type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in the record values">
    Enter the required fields. The **Subdomain** field is the part before your domain (leave blank to target the root domain). The **Target** field is the value the record points to.

    Set the **TTL** (Time to Live). The default of 3600 seconds (1 hour) is suitable for most cases. Lower values mean faster propagation after changes; higher values reduce resolver load.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm and wait for propagation">
    Review the summary and click **Confirm**. DNS changes propagate globally within **24 hours**, though most resolvers pick up changes within 1–2 hours.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Editing a live DNS zone can make your website or email unavailable if records are misconfigured. If you are unsure of the correct values, contact your hosting or email provider before making changes.
</Warning>

### Common DNS record examples

<CodeGroup>
  ```dns A record — point domain to an IPv4 address theme={null}
  ; Point example.com to your server's IP
  example.com.    3600    IN    A    203.0.113.10

  ; Point www subdomain to the same IP
  www             3600    IN    A    203.0.113.10
  ```

  ```dns AAAA record — point domain to an IPv6 address theme={null}
  ; Point example.com to an IPv6 address
  example.com.    3600    IN    AAAA    2001:db8::1
  ```

  ```dns CNAME record — alias one name to another theme={null}
  ; Alias www to the root domain
  www             3600    IN    CNAME    example.com.

  ; Alias a subdomain to an external host
  blog            3600    IN    CNAME    myblog.wordpress.com.
  ```

  ```dns MX records — route email to mail servers theme={null}
  ; Primary mail server (lower priority number = higher priority)
  @               3600    IN    MX    1    mx1.mail.ovh.net.
  @               3600    IN    MX    5    mx2.mail.ovh.net.
  @               3600    IN    MX    50   mx3.mail.ovh.net.
  ```

  ```dns TXT record — SPF, DKIM, domain verification theme={null}
  ; SPF record to authorise OVHcloud mail servers
  @               3600    IN    TXT    "v=spf1 include:mx.ovh.com ~all"

  ; Domain ownership verification (example)
  @               3600    IN    TXT    "google-site-verification=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Record types reference

| Type      | Purpose                                                            |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **A**     | Maps a domain/subdomain to an IPv4 address                         |
| **AAAA**  | Maps a domain/subdomain to an IPv6 address                         |
| **CNAME** | Creates an alias pointing to another hostname                      |
| **MX**    | Directs email to a mail server                                     |
| **TXT**   | Free-text records; used for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and verification     |
| **NS**    | Specifies the authoritative name servers for the zone              |
| **SRV**   | Locates services (e.g., SIP, XMPP)                                 |
| **CAA**   | Restricts which certificate authorities can issue SSL certificates |

<Note>
  You cannot create a CNAME record for the root domain (apex). Use an A or AAAA record for `example.com`, and CNAME records for subdomains such as `www.example.com`.
</Note>

***

## Subdomains and DNS delegation

### Creating a subdomain

To add a subdomain (e.g., `shop.example.com`), add an A or CNAME record with the subdomain name in the **Subdomain** field of your DNS zone entry. For example:

| Subdomain | Type  | Target                  |
| --------- | ----- | ----------------------- |
| `shop`    | A     | `203.0.113.20`          |
| `blog`    | CNAME | `myblog.wordpress.com.` |

### Delegating a subdomain to external name servers

If you want a third party to manage DNS for a subdomain, create NS records pointing to their name servers:

```dns theme={null}
; Delegate sub.example.com to external name servers
sub             3600    IN    NS    ns1.externalhost.com.
sub             3600    IN    NS    ns2.externalhost.com.
```

Then create a separate DNS zone at the external provider for `sub.example.com`.

***

## Auto-renewal and manual renewal

### Enable auto-renewal

1. Go to **My account** > **Services and subscriptions**.
2. Find your domain and click the **...** menu.
3. Enable **Automatic renewal**.

OVHcloud charges the renewal fee automatically using your registered payment method before the expiry date.

### Renew manually

1. Go to **Web Cloud** > **Domains** and select your domain.
2. Click **Renew** and choose the renewal period.
3. Complete the payment.

<Warning>
  If your domain expires, it enters a **redemption period** (typically 30–45 days) where recovery fees apply. After redemption, the domain is deleted and becomes available for public registration. Set up auto-renewal to avoid accidental loss.
</Warning>

***

## Domain privacy (WHOIS protection)

WHOIS displays registrant contact details publicly. OVHcloud offers WHOIS protection for eligible domain extensions, replacing your personal contact information with OVHcloud proxy details.

### Enable WHOIS protection

1. In the Control Panel, go to **Web Cloud** > **Domains** and select your domain.
2. Click the **WHOIS** tab (or **Contact management**).
3. Enable **Domain Privacy** if available for your TLD.

<Note>
  WHOIS protection is not available for all domain extensions. Certain country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) require the real registrant's information to be publicly displayed.
</Note>

***

## DNSSEC

DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) adds cryptographic signatures to your DNS records, protecting against DNS spoofing and cache poisoning attacks.

### Enable DNSSEC

1. Go to **Web Cloud** > **Domains** > select your domain > **Security** tab.
2. Click **Enable DNSSEC**.
3. OVHcloud generates a key pair and signs your DNS zone. It also registers the DS record at the parent registry.

<Warning>
  Only enable DNSSEC if your domain uses OVHcloud DNS servers. If you use external name servers, coordinate with them to set up DNSSEC — incorrect DS records at the registry will make your domain unresolvable.
</Warning>

***

## Responsibility model

When you register a domain with OVHcloud:

* **OVHcloud is responsible for**: maintaining the technical infrastructure of the DNS zone, registering the domain at the registry, and renewing it on time when auto-renewal is active.
* **You are responsible for**: keeping registrant contact information up to date, managing DNS records accurately, and ensuring renewal payments do not fail.

If you transfer the DNS zone management to an external provider (by changing name servers), OVHcloud retains the domain registration but is no longer responsible for DNS resolution.

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="DNS changes are not propagating">
    DNS propagation takes up to 24 hours. Use a tool such as [whatsmydns.net](https://www.whatsmydns.net/) to check propagation status from multiple locations. If your old values are still cached, wait for the TTL to expire.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Domain is locked and cannot be transferred">
    Domains are locked by default as a security measure. In the Control Panel, go to your domain's **Security** tab and disable the **Transfer lock** before initiating a transfer at the receiving registrar.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Email stops working after DNS changes">
    If you modified your MX records, confirm the new values point to valid mail servers. Run `nslookup -type=MX example.com` or `dig MX example.com` to check the current MX records visible to the public DNS.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Website unreachable after changing name servers">
    When you change name servers, OVHcloud's DNS zone is no longer used. You must recreate all necessary DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT) at the new provider before changing name servers to avoid downtime.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>