If you need to connect a subdomain to another hostname, you may need to add a CNAME record to your domain. CNAME records are commonly used for website connections, domain verification, and third-party services.

If you are using Hostinger, you can manage your DNS records from the DNS management area. In this guide, you will learn how to add CNAME record in Hostinger step by step.

What Is a CNAME Record?

CNAME stands for Canonical Name. It allows a domain or subdomain to point to another hostname instead of directly pointing to an IP address.

For example, suppose your website uses example.com. You may want www.example.com to point to your main domain. A CNAME record can be used for this purpose.

CNAME records are also often provided by online services when you need to verify or connect a domain.

Before creating the record, make sure you have the correct CNAME values from the service you are connecting.

Step 1: Log In to Hostinger

First, open the Hostinger website and log in to your account.

After signing in, open your Hostinger dashboard and select the domain you want to manage.

Hostinger’s current DNS management area can be accessed through the domain’s DNS settings. Depending on your Hostinger setup, the menu may appear under Domains → DNS or through your website’s DNS Zone Editor.

Step 2: Open DNS Settings

Once you select your domain, open the DNS management section.

You will see a list of existing DNS records. These records control different parts of your domain, including website connections, email, verification, and subdomains.

Look for the option to add a new DNS record.

Step 3: Select CNAME

Choose CNAME from the record type list.

Hostinger will display fields where you can enter the information required for the new record.

The main fields usually include:

• Name
• Target or Points to
• TTL

The exact labels can vary slightly depending on the current Hostinger interface.

Step 4: Enter the CNAME Name

The Name field tells Hostinger which hostname the CNAME record should apply to.

For example, if you want to create a CNAME for:

www.example.com

you would normally enter:

www

You do not usually need to type the complete domain name in the Name field because Hostinger automatically adds the domain.

Always follow the exact instructions supplied by the service that gave you the CNAME record.

Step 5: Enter the Target

The Target or Points to field tells the CNAME where the hostname should point.

For example, a service might provide a target similar to:

target.example-service.com

Enter the target exactly as provided.

Do not replace the target with an IP address unless the service specifically instructs you to use a different DNS record type. CNAME records are designed to point to hostnames.

Step 6: Check the TTL

TTL means Time to Live. It determines how long DNS information can be cached.

If the service has not provided a specific TTL requirement, Hostinger says you can generally use its default TTL value of 14400 seconds.

For most users, there is no need to change the default TTL.

Step 7: Save the CNAME Record

After entering the Name, Target, and TTL, carefully review the information.

Make sure there are no spelling mistakes.

Then click Add Record or the equivalent save button.

Your new CNAME record should now appear in the DNS records list.

How Long Does a CNAME Record Take to Work?

DNS changes may not become visible everywhere immediately.

Hostinger notes that DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate.

Therefore, if your service does not verify the CNAME immediately, give the DNS system some time before making additional changes.

You can also use an online DNS checker to see whether your CNAME record is visible from different locations.

Common CNAME Mistakes to Avoid

There are several common mistakes you should avoid when adding a CNAME record.

First, do not enter the complete domain name in the Name field when Hostinger expects only the hostname.

Second, make sure the Target is copied exactly from your service provider.

Third, avoid creating conflicting DNS records for the same hostname.

Finally, if your domain uses nameservers from another provider, its DNS records may need to be managed there instead of Hostinger.

Final Thoughts

Adding a CNAME record in Hostinger is straightforward when you have the correct DNS information.

Open your domain’s DNS settings, select CNAME, enter the required Name and Target, check the TTL, and save the record.

If you are connecting a third-party service, always use the CNAME values supplied by that service. After saving the record, allow enough time for DNS propagation.

For more detailed DNS help, you can also use this Hostinger CNAME configuration guide as a reference when managing your domain.