DNAME record
A DNAME record redirects every name below one name to the same name below another: with old.example DNAME new.example, www.old.example becomes www.new.example. Unlike CNAME, it doesn't affect the name it sits on, only the names under it.
| Record type | DNAME |
|---|---|
| Type number | 39 |
| Used for | Delegation |
| How common | Rare |
| Defined in | RFC 6672 |
Format
<name> <ttl> IN DNAME <target name>
| Field | What it means | Accepted values |
|---|---|---|
| Name | The top of the subtree being redirected. | A host name. |
| Target | Where the subtree is redirected to. | A host name. |
Check a DNAME record
Type or paste a record in zone-file form (name, TTL, type, value) or just its value. Each part is explained as you type.
A valid DNAME record.
| Part | What it means |
|---|---|
| Nameold | A name under the domain. In a dashboard for example.com, “old” means old.example.com. |
| TTL3600 | Resolvers may keep this answer for 1 hour before asking again. Changes can take that long to reach everyone. |
| ClassIN | Internet. Every record you'll write uses IN. |
| TypeDNAME | Alias for a whole subtree. |
| Targetnew.example.com. | Every name below this one is redirected to the same name below the target: x.old.example → x.new.example. The name itself is not redirected. |
Examples
Renaming a branch of names
old.example.com. 3600 IN DNAME new.example.com.
mail.old.example.com answers as mail.new.example.com, for every record type. old.example.com itself keeps its own records.
Reverse DNS delegation
0.0.10.in-addr.arpa. 3600 IN DNAME 0.0.10.rev.example.net.
A provider moving reverse zones under its own domain.
Look up DNAME records
TTL
3600 or longer; DNAMEs are usually long-lived. How TTL works
Common mistakes
- Expecting the name itself to be redirected. DNAME only covers names below it; add an A or CNAME for the name itself if needed.
- Putting a DNAME and a CNAME at the same name, or any records below a DNAME. Those names can't exist.
- Using DNAME for email aliasing. It renames DNS names, not mailboxes.
At your DNS host
- Few dashboards offer DNAME. It's mostly used in zone files on self-run nameservers and by registries.
Questions
What's the difference between DNAME and CNAME?
CNAME aliases one exact name. DNAME aliases everything below a name, but not the name itself.
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