Custom nameservers for your host, CDN or DNS provider

Nameservers tell the internet where the DNS records of your domain live. Every NameBest domain starts on our nameservers with the DNS editor ready, and you can set custom nameservers for your host, CDN or DNS provider at any time from your dashboard, then switch back whenever you like.

Front panels of servers in a rack with small indicator lights

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What nameservers do

When someone types your domain, their browser asks the registry which nameservers answer for it, then asks those nameservers for the address of your website or mail server. Whoever runs your nameservers controls your DNS records. That is why the choice matters: it decides where you edit records and which features you get, such as a CDN, load balancing or your host's one click setup.

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NameBest nameservers or custom nameservers

	NameBest nameservers	Custom nameservers
Where you edit records	Our DNS management editor	At your host, CDN or DNS provider
URL forwarding	Works from the Forwarding tab	Set it at your DNS provider
Best for	Simple sites, email setups, forwarding	CDNs, managed hosting, advanced DNS
Cost	Included	Included on our side
Switch back	Any time	Any time, records stay saved

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When to use custom nameservers

Your host asks you to point the domain to its nameservers for a one click setup
You use a CDN or security service that manages DNS for you
You run many domains with one DNS provider and want all records in one place
Your team manages DNS as code with an API at another provider
You run your own nameservers on your own servers

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How to set custom nameservers in your dashboard

Step 1. Open the domain and go to the Nameservers tab.
Step 2. Choose Use custom nameservers.
Step 3. Enter at least two nameservers from your provider, such as ns1.yourhost.net and ns2.yourhost.net. You can add up to four.
Step 4. Save. We send the change to the registry right away.

Most networks follow within a few hours. Allow up to 48 hours for every network to see the change. Read how to change nameservers for provider specific tips.

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Change nameservers without downtime

The safest move is to copy your records first. Before you switch, recreate every record you use, especially A, CNAME, MX and TXT, at the new provider. Then switch nameservers. During the change some visitors reach the old nameservers and some the new ones, so both must give the same answers. When you switch back to NameBest nameservers, the records you had in our editor are still there.

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Your own nameservers on your own domain

If you run nameservers under your own domain, such as ns1.yourdomain.com, the registry needs glue records with their IP addresses. Contact [email protected] with the host names and IP addresses and we add them for you.

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What changes with custom nameservers

WHOIS privacy, the transfer lock, auto renew and the EPP code do not depend on nameservers. They work the same either way. Only the DNS editor and domain forwarding depend on our nameservers, because they are answers our nameservers give. Read about WHOIS privacy to see what stays in place.

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Custom nameservers questions

How many nameservers do I need?

At least two, so your domain keeps working if one is down. You can add up to four.

How long does a nameserver change take?

We send it to the registry right away. Most networks follow within a few hours, and all within 48 hours.

Will I lose my DNS records if I switch?

No. Your records stay in our editor. They are not used while custom nameservers are set, and they come back into use if you switch back.

Can I use custom nameservers and still forward my domain?

Not through our Forwarding tab, because it needs our nameservers. Set the redirect at your DNS provider instead.