Overview

Nameservers and DNS records are related, but they are not the same thing. This is one of the most common areas of confusion for website owners and new hosting customers.

Simple Explanation

Nameservers decide which system is in charge of your DNS. DNS records are the actual settings inside that system, such as A records, MX records, CNAME records, and TXT records.

Why This Matters

If your nameservers point to Cloudflare, you must change DNS records in Cloudflare. If your nameservers point to your hosting provider, you usually manage DNS there instead.

Common Mistake

A customer changes records in one place while the domain is actually using another DNS provider. The record looks correct, but it has no effect because it was edited in the wrong system.

Good Next Step

If you are unsure who controls your DNS, open a ticket through support. For more beginner friendly help, browse our resources and our FAQ.