# Pointing your domain at your VPS
Source: https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/getting-started/pointing-your-domain
Last reviewed: 2026-07-02
Summary: How to connect a domain name to your VPS, create an A record at your registrar's DNS, use Cloudflare (which also hides your IP), or use VPSDime's free DNS Manager with nameservers dns1/dns2.vpsdime.com, plus www vs apex, propagation, and mail notes.

## What this is

Making `yourdomain.com` reach your VPS. DNS does one job here: an **A record** maps your domain name to your VPS's IPv4 address (an **AAAA record** does the same for IPv6). Create that record wherever your domain's DNS is hosted, and you're pointed.

Your VPS's IP is on its [Manage VPS](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/client-area/services/managing-your-vps) page and in your welcome email.

## Pick where your DNS lives (any of these works)

**Option A: your registrar's DNS (simplest).** Nearly every registrar (Namecheap, GoDaddy, Porkbun, and the rest) includes free DNS. In its DNS or "manage records" panel, add:

- **A record**, host `@` (the bare domain), value = your VPS IP
- **A record**, host `www`, value = your VPS IP (or a CNAME from `www` to `@`)

**Option B: Cloudflare (free, with extras).** Point your domain's nameservers at Cloudflare and manage records there. With the proxy enabled you also get your **VPS IP hidden** and attack traffic absorbed at their edge, exactly what we recommend if you [expect DDoS attention](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/acceptable-use/ddos-policy), plus edge caching and certificates. Going this route? Do it properly, locked origin, real visitor IPs, working cache, with [Cloudflare best practices](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/getting-started/cloudflare-best-practices).

**Option C: our free DNS Manager.** We host DNS for your domains at no charge. Set your domain's nameservers to **dns1.vpsdime.com** and **dns2.vpsdime.com** at the registrar, then manage your records in the client area. Full guide: [DNS Manager](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/client-area/services/dns).

## Propagation: give it a little time

DNS changes aren't instant. New records typically work within minutes, but nameserver changes and edits to existing records can take a few hours (worst case a day or two) to reach every network, because resolvers cache answers. Check progress with `dig yourdomain.com` or an online checker like whatsmydns.net, and resist the urge to keep changing things while a previous change is still propagating.

## If you'll run mail

Two extra records matter: an **MX record** pointing at your mail server's hostname, and **reverse DNS (PTR)** on your VPS IP matching that hostname, set rDNS yourself from the [Network](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/client-area/services/network) tab. Also read the [email policy](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/acceptable-use/email-policy) first, low-volume mail is fine, bulk is not.

## Troubleshooting

- **The domain doesn't resolve at all.** The record hasn't propagated yet, or there's a typo in the IP, `dig +short yourdomain.com` should print your VPS IP. If you changed nameservers, confirm the change actually saved at the registrar.
- **It resolves but no site loads.** DNS has done its job; the VPS isn't answering on port 80/443. That's a web-server matter, see [Hosting a website](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/getting-started/hosting-a-website).
- **`www` works but the bare domain doesn't (or the reverse).** You created one record and not the other, add the missing `@` or `www` record.

Records refusing to make sense? Paste your `dig` output and what you *expected* into an [AI chatbot](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/support-coverage/software-and-server-management), DNS confusion unravels fast with a second pair of eyes on the actual records.

## Still need help?

You can [open a support ticket](https://vpsdime.com/open-ticket/). So we can help on the first reply, it's worth mentioning:

- the domain and the VPS (hostname or IP),
- where the domain's DNS is hosted (registrar, Cloudflare, or our DNS Manager),
- what `dig yourdomain.com` (or an online DNS checker) currently shows.

## Related questions

- "How do I point my domain at my VPS?"
- "What nameservers should I use?"
- "Do you offer free DNS hosting?"
- "How long does DNS take to propagate?"
- "Why does www work but not my bare domain?"
- "What records do I need for email?"