If you’re managing a website and need to make changes to your DNS records, the Zone Editor in cPanel is your go-to tool. Whether you’re setting up a custom email provider, pointing your domain to another host, or adding verification records, the Zone Editor lets you manage everything in one place.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to access and use the Zone Editor in cPanel, step-by-step.
🔧 What is the Zone Editor?
The Zone Editor is a cPanel feature that lets you manage DNS records for your domain. DNS (Domain Name System) is what connects your domain name to the correct web server or email provider. Common DNS records you can manage include:
- A records – Point a domain or subdomain to an IP address.
- CNAME records – Alias one domain to another.
- MX records – Direct email to your mail server.
- TXT records – Often used for email verification (SPF, DKIM, etc.).
🧭 How to Access the Zone Editor
- Log into your cPanel account.
- Scroll down to the Domains section.
- Click on Zone Editor.
You’ll now see a list of domains associated with your hosting account.
✏️ Adding or Editing DNS Records
To make changes, find your domain and choose one of the following options:
➕ Add a Record
- Click “+ A Record”, “+ CNAME Record”, or “+ MX Record” next to the domain.
- Enter the required information:
- For A records: the name (like
www) and the destination IP address. - For CNAMEs: the alias and the destination domain.
- For MX records: priority and destination mail server.
- For A records: the name (like
Click Add Record to save.
🖊 Edit a Record
- Click Manage next to the domain to view all records.
- Use the Edit button next to a record you want to change.
- Update the details and click Save Record.
❌ Delete a Record
- Click Manage, then click Delete next to the record.
- Confirm the deletion.
⚠️ Tips and Best Practices
- Be careful: DNS changes can affect your website and email. If you’re unsure, make a note of the original values before changing anything.
- Propagation time: DNS updates can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate.
- Use TTL wisely: TTL (Time to Live) determines how long a DNS record is cached. Lower it temporarily if you’re making a big change.
📝 Common Uses
- Point your domain to a new hosting provider.
- Verify your domain with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
- Set up email services with custom MX records.
- Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to improve email deliverability.
Final Thoughts
The Zone Editor in cPanel is a powerful tool for managing your domain’s DNS records. Once you understand the basics, making changes becomes straightforward and fast. Just remember to double-check your entries and allow some time for changes to take effect.
Have questions or need help with a specific record? Drop a comment below or reach out to your hosting support team!