An A Record (Address Record) maps a domain or subdomain directly to a specific IP address, enabling browsers to locate and load your website.

A CNAME Record (Canonical Name Record), on the other hand, maps a domain or subdomain to another domain name, not an IP address. It's commonly used to point subdomains—like shop.yourdomain.com—to another domain or service, such as an e-commerce platform.

Key differences:

  • A Record → points to an IP address (e.g., 192.0.2.1)

  • CNAME Record → points to another domain name (e.g., yoursite.hostingprovider.com)

  • You can’t use both for the same domain or subdomain

  • A Records are essential for root domains, while CNAMEs are often used for subdomains

Both records are essential tools in DNS management, each with a specific role depending on your hosting setup.

For more details, visit our tutorial: How to manage DNS records in cPanel?

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