DNS records for connecting third-party domains

This guide has a list of the DNS records you’ll need to add to connect a third-party domain to your Squarespace site. You’ll edit these records in your domain provider account in addition to a few other steps. You’ll also see these records in the DNS Settings panel of a domain that you’ve started connecting.

For help with the full process, visit Connecting a domain to your Squarespace site. If you're having trouble adding specific records to your domain's settings, contact your domain provider using our sample message.

Tips:

• If your domain is eligible, we recommend transferring it instead of connecting it. Learn more about the differences between transferring and connecting, or get started with a transfer here.
• For help with Squarespace Domain DNS records, visit Adding custom DNS records to your Squarespace Domain instead.

CNAMEs

You need two CNAMEs to connect a domain: the verification CNAME and the second CNAME.

Verification CNAME

The first CNAME is for verification, and it’s unique to your site. After following the first steps to connect your domain, your site’s Domains panel will generate a random code for the verification CNAME. This code is a string of numbers and letters in the first row of the DNS Settings panel. Add the verification CNAME to your domain using the following settings:

Alias or Host Name	Type	Points to
Copy the unique code listed in your DNS Settings panel	CNAME	verify.squarespace.com

Second CNAME

The second CNAME connects the “www” version of your domain to your site. Add the second CNAME to your domain provider using the following settings:

Alias or Host Name	Type	Points to
www	CNAME	ext-cust.squarespace.com

A Records

You’ll need four A Records to connect the version of your domain without the “www” to your site. Each A Record points to an IP address. Add the A Records using the following settings. Some providers only allow adding one A Record. If you can't add all four, use the record in the first row:

Alias or Host Name	Type	Points to
@	A Record	198.185.159.144
@	A Record	198.185.159.145
@	A Record	198.49.23.144
@	A Record	198.49.23.145

Troubleshooting

I can’t find or add these records in my provider account

Each domain provider has a different process for adding records to your domain. If you can't find the DNS records within your domain provider, these suggestions can help:

• Ensure that your domain provider offers full editing access to your domain's DNS records.
• Review our provider-specific domain connection guides for step-by-step instructions.
• Contact your domain provider and ask how to add the DNS records to your domain.

The DNS Settings panel shows errors

It’s normal to see a “Record not found” message immediately after adding these DNS records. Ensure your records are added correctly, and give the domain up to 72 hours to connect.

After 72 hours, if we detect that any DNS records weren’t set up properly during the domain connection process, the DNS record checker in the Domains panel will show you the exact CNAME and/or A Records to fix to get your domain working. For help, visit Checking your domain mapping records.