An A record is a type of DNS record that connects a hostname to an IPv4 address. It is one of the common ways a domain can be directed towards the service that should answer for a website.
What does an A record do?
When a browser needs to find a particular hostname, an A record can provide the IPv4 address associated with it. You do not normally need to work with the number directly unless a technical provider has asked you to update the record.
What are the hostname and IP address?
The hostname is the name the record applies to, while the IPv4 address is the numerical destination stored in the A record.
The exact way a DNS provider displays the root domain varies. Some interfaces use the domain name itself, while others use a short symbol or label. Follow the provider's interface and the instructions supplied for the change rather than assuming every dashboard looks the same.
Why might an A record be relevant when a website launches?
If a domain currently points to an old website, a website launch may require the relevant A record to point to a new destination. That is only one possible setup; some websites are connected using different DNS arrangements.
If you have been asked to change one, see how to update an A record.
Why should I be careful with A records?
A DNS account can contain several records with similar-looking names. Changing the wrong record can point a hostname somewhere unintended or interrupt a service.
Important: do not replace an A record with a guessed IP address. Use only the value supplied by the relevant technical provider and do not alter unrelated records.
For a broader explanation of where A records fit, see what DNS is.
Last updated: 8 September 2026