A nameserver is a specialised server that translates domain names (like yourdomain.com) into IP addresses (like 123.45.67.89) that computers use to find each other on the internet. Think of nameservers as the internet's address book — when someone types your domain into their browser, the nameservers tell them which server to connect to.
When You Would Use This Guide
Read this if you've just registered a domain, are setting up hosting for the first time, or have been asked to "point your nameservers" to a hosting provider. Understanding nameservers helps you connect your domain to the right server.
Please note: Screens and options may vary slightly depending on your cPanel version and hosting plan.
How Nameservers Work
- A visitor types
yourdomain.cominto their browser. - Their browser asks the internet's DNS system: "Where is yourdomain.com?"
- The DNS system checks your domain's nameserver records to find out which nameservers are authoritative for your domain.
- Those nameservers respond with the IP address of the server hosting your website.
- The browser connects to that IP address and loads your site.
This all happens in milliseconds and is invisible to the visitor.
Where to Find Your Nameservers
Your hosting provider will give you nameserver addresses, usually in your welcome email or client area. They typically look like:
ns1.yourhostingprovider.comns2.yourhostingprovider.com
There are usually two (sometimes more) for redundancy — if one is unavailable, the other takes over.
Where to Set Nameservers
Nameservers are set at your domain registrar — the company where you registered (purchased) the domain. This is not always the same as your hosting provider.
For example, you might have registered your domain at GoDaddy but host your website with a different company. In that case, you'd log into GoDaddy and update the nameservers to point to your hosting provider.
Common Confusion Points
Nameservers vs DNS Records: Nameservers determine which DNS server is authoritative for your domain. DNS records (A, MX, CNAME, etc.) are the individual entries on that DNS server that direct traffic to specific services. You set nameservers at your registrar; you manage DNS records at whoever runs your nameservers (usually your hosting provider, or a third-party DNS service like Cloudflare).
Registrar vs Hosting Provider: These can be the same company or different companies. The registrar is where you bought the domain. The hosting provider is where your website files live. Nameservers connect the two.
Tips
- After changing nameservers, allow up to 48 hours for the change to propagate worldwide (though most changes are visible within 2–4 hours).
- Always use at least two nameservers for redundancy.
- If you use Cloudflare or similar services, you'll point your nameservers to them instead of your hosting provider. Cloudflare then manages your DNS records.
