If you registered your domain through Squarespace, you can access its DNS settings in the Domains panel. There are only a few reasons for editing these settings, like if you're forwarding your domain or setting up a third-party email service.
Other ways to manage your domain
Many common domain management tasks don't involve using Advanced DNS settings. For help, visit these guides instead:
- Connect a domain you registered elsewhere, like GoDaddy, Hover, or 1&1. (You'll edit the DNS settings in your provider's account, not Squarespace.)
- Disable WHOIS Privacy
- Set a new primary domain
- Transfer a domain to Squarespace
- Unlock and transfer a domain away from Squarespace
Open Advanced DNS settings
- In the Home Menu, click Settings, then click Domains. You can also press the ? key while any panel is open and search domains. (If you're using a parking page, start by clicking the domain name in your parking page menu.)
- Under Squarespace Domains, click the domain name. If you have multiple Squarespace domains, you'll manage their DNS settings separately.
- Click Advanced Settings.
Add preset DNS records for email, domain forwarding, and other services
Certain domain tasks, like configuring MX records for a third-party email provider or setting up domain forwarding, require specific records. To add records based on what you're setting up, there are preset records that can help you enter the information correctly.
Select one of these options from the Add Presets drop-down menu. For help with steps outside of this panel, like getting specific records from another provider, contact that provider for support:
Preset option |
Purpose |
Google Workspace |
Select this preset if you signed up for Google Workspace through a company other than Squarespace, or if you previously deleted your MX records. Visit Adding Google Workspace MX records to learn more. |
Zoho Mail |
Select this preset to add the required fields for Zoho Mail. You’ll also need to add a unique verification code CNAME. Visit Using Zoho Mail with your Squarespace domain to learn more. |
Forward Domain |
Select this preset to forward your domain to a different URL. |
Forward Subdomain |
Select this preset to forward a subdomain to a different URL. |
Website Defaults |
If you've deleted or edited the original settings for your Squarespace Domain, select this preset to restore the default records. |
Subdomain |
Select this preset to add a subdomain to your root domain. |
Google Workspace verification |
Select this preset to retry your Google Workspace verification on a parking page. |
When you're finished adding DNS records, click Save at the top of the page.
Add custom DNS records
To add a new record, choose the record type from the drop-down menu in the bottom row of the Custom Records section. Then enter the record information.
You can add and edit these records:
- A
- AAAA
- CNAME
- MX
- TXT
- SPF
- SRV
For detailed steps, visit Adding custom DNS records to your Squarespace Domain.
Nameservers
You can access your nameservers in the Nameservers tab at the top of the panel. In most cases, leave Use Squarespace nameservers checked.
We don't recommend editing or using custom nameservers. Changing your domain's nameservers will break its link to your site and disconnect any linked Google Workspace account.
Instead of changing nameservers, consider transferring your domain away from Squarespace.
Note: Squarespace doesn't use nameservers for connecting domains.
Add website defaults
Website defaults are DNS settings that point your domain to your site. If you've deleted or edited your DNS settings and your domain is no longer connecting, follow these steps to restore the default settings:
- In the Home Menu, click Settings, then click Domains.
- Click the domain you're working to connect.
- Click Advanced Settings.
- Select Website Defaults from the Add Presets drop-down menu.
- Click Add.
Error message: DNS Record Conflict
If you see a "DNS Record Conflict: This preset conflicts with a previously added preset" error message when trying to add presets, it means your DNS settings already have a record or records that conflict with the presets. The records you're trying to add may duplicate ones already saved on your domain or interfere with other records in place.
To identify the conflict, look for similar types of records or records with data that might conflict. For example, it's not possible to add MX records for both Google Workspace and Zoho Mail.
If you don't see any conflicting records, click Save on the panel and refresh the page, then try adding the presets you want again.
Next steps
Learn more about customizing your domain using presets and custom records:
- Review specific steps for adding custom records.
- Forward or point your Squarespace Domain to another site (learn about the difference between the two options).
- Create a subdomain for your Squarespace Domain.