A simple explanation of DNS A records, how they point a domain to an IP address and when you need to edit them.
An A record is one of the most common DNS records. It points a domain name or subdomain to an IPv4 address, allowing browsers to find the server that hosts your website.
If your website is not loading from the correct hosting account, the A record is one of the first DNS settings to check.
An A record points a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address. It is commonly used to connect your domain name to the web server that hosts your website.
Computers use IP addresses to find servers. People use domain names because they are easier to remember. An A record connects those two things by telling DNS which IPv4 address should be used for a hostname.
For example, your root domain may have an A record pointing to the IP address of your hosting server. When someone visits the domain, DNS returns that address and the browser connects to the server.
Many websites use both the root domain and the www version. These may be controlled by separate DNS records. The root domain might use an A record, while www may use either an A record or a CNAME record.
It is important to check both. If only one version is configured, visitors using the other version may see an error or an old website.
An A record points directly to an IP address. A CNAME points one hostname to another hostname. For many basic hosting setups, the root domain uses an A record and www uses a CNAME or matching A record.
The correct choice depends on your provider's instructions and how your hosting is configured.
Changing an A record can make your website point to a different server. If the new server is not ready, visitors may see a blank page, default server page or error. Always prepare the hosting first before changing DNS.
If email uses the same hostname or server, make sure you understand what else may be affected before changing records.
After changing an A record, use DNS lookup tools to check which IP address is being returned. Remember that cached DNS can make results vary for a while after changes.
Also test the website itself, not just the DNS result. A correct IP address is only useful if the hosting server is configured to serve your domain correctly.
If you are not sure which option is right for your website, start with our Start Here page or compare our UK Web Hosting services.
You can also explore VPS Hosting UK and VDS Hosting UK if your website needs more control, dedicated resources or room to grow. If you are moving your site, prepare the new hosting before changing the A record.
An A record is a simple but powerful DNS setting. It controls where a domain or subdomain points, so it is essential for website launches, migrations and troubleshooting.