The Difference Between CNAME and A

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Article Summary

Title:		The Difference Between CNAME and A
Description:		What is the difference between CNAME and A DNS records?
Key Words:		dns, cname, a, records, difference, vs, versus
Type:		FAQs
Category:		DNS FAQs
Last Updated:		2004-01-08 04:53:06


	The Difference Between CNAME and A What is the difference between `CNAME` and `A` DNS records? An `A` DNS record directly equates a hostname to an IP address. Use an IP address as the destination field in the DNS Control Panel. A `CNAME` DNS record does not directly resolve to an IP address. Instead, it refers to a relative or absolute hostname. A relative hostname is indicated by no period (.) at the end of the hostname. An absolute hostname is indicated by the trailing period (.). When a DNS query is made for a `CNAME`, the hostname that is pointed to is used to obtain the actual IP address. The pointed-to hostname may itself be another `CNAME`, or it may directly provide the IP address using an `A` entry.