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How to add DNS records on Ghost

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Adding DNS records on Ghost involves configuring your domain's DNS settings through your domain registrar to point to Ghost's servers. For Ghost(Pro), you'll add specific A records and CNAME records provided by Ghost to connect your custom domain.

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Prerequisites

  • Ghost(Pro) account or self-hosted Ghost installation
  • Administrative access to your domain registrar
  • Basic understanding of DNS record types
  • Domain ownership verification

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access Ghost Admin Panel

Log into your Ghost admin panel at yourdomain.com/ghost and navigate to Settings > General. Scroll down to find the Publication info section where you can manage your domain settings.
Make sure you're logged in as an administrator to access domain settings.
2

Configure Custom Domain in Ghost

In the Publication info section, locate the Site URL field. Enter your custom domain (e.g., https://yourdomain.com) and click Save. Ghost will provide you with the DNS records you need to configure.
Always use HTTPS in your site URL for better security and SEO.
3

Get DNS Record Information

After saving your custom domain, Ghost will display the required DNS records. You'll typically see:
  • A Record: Points to Ghost's IP address
  • CNAME Record: For www subdomain
  • MX Records: If using Ghost's email features
Copy these record details for the next steps.
Take a screenshot or note down all the DNS record details before proceeding to your domain registrar.
4

Access Your Domain Registrar's DNS Management

Log into your domain registrar's control panel (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.) and navigate to the DNS Management or DNS Zone section. Look for options like Manage DNS, DNS Records, or Advanced DNS.
The exact location varies by registrar, but it's usually under domain management or DNS settings.
5

Add A Record for Root Domain

Click Add Record or similar button. Select A as the record type. Set:
  • Name/Host: @ or leave blank for root domain
  • Value/Points to: Ghost's IP address from step 3
  • TTL: 3600 or leave as default
Click Save to add the record.
Some registrars use different field names, but the concept remains the same.
6

Add CNAME Record for WWW Subdomain

Add another record with type CNAME. Configure:
  • Name/Host: www
  • Value/Points to: Your root domain or Ghost's CNAME target
  • TTL: 3600
Save this record to ensure both www and non-www versions work.
CNAME records cannot be used for root domains, only subdomains like www.
7

Verify DNS Propagation

DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate globally. Use online tools like whatsmydns.net or dnschecker.org to check propagation status. You can also use command line: nslookup yourdomain.com to verify the records are pointing correctly.
Clear your browser cache and try accessing your domain in an incognito window to test properly.
8

Test Your Ghost Site

Once DNS has propagated, visit your custom domain to ensure Ghost is loading correctly. Check both http://yourdomain.com and http://www.yourdomain.com. Ghost should automatically redirect to HTTPS and display your site properly.
If you see SSL certificate errors initially, wait a few more hours as Ghost needs time to provision SSL certificates.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

DNS records not propagating after 48 hours

Double-check that you entered the correct IP address and record types. Contact your domain registrar's support to verify there are no conflicts or issues with your DNS zone file.

Site shows 'Site not found' error

Verify that the Site URL in Ghost admin exactly matches your domain. Ensure there are no typos and that you're using https:// prefix.

SSL certificate errors on custom domain

Ghost automatically provisions SSL certificates, but this can take up to 24 hours. Ensure your DNS records are correct and wait for the certificate to be generated. Avoid accessing the site via HTTP during this time.

WWW version not redirecting properly

Check that your CNAME record for www is correctly pointing to your root domain. Some registrars require the full domain name including the dot at the end (e.g., yourdomain.com.).

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