By utilizing Custom Nameservers, a domain can take advantage of Cloudflare DNS without needing to use the host names of the Nameservers assigned by Cloudflare.

Overview

Cloudflare domains under Business or Enterprise plans have the ability to set Custom Nameservers within Cloudflare.


By default, Custom Nameservers apply solely to the specific Cloudflare domain where they have been set.

It is feasible for Cloudflare domains to utilize the Custom Nameservers established for another domain. However, these domains must have an Enterprise plan, and a request needs to be submitted to Cloudflare Support specifying which Custom Nameservers should be used.

Configure Custom Nameservers


To add Custom Nameservers, follow these steps:

  1. Log into your Cloudflare dashboard.

  2. Make sure the website you wish to update is selected.

  3. Click on the DNS app.

  4. Scroll down to the section for Custom Nameservers.

  5. Select Add Custom Nameservers and input the nameserver hostnames (e.g., ns1, ns2, ns3).

  6. Cloudflare will assign IPv4 and IPv6 addresses to your nameservers.

  7. Add the Custom Nameservers and IP addresses as glue records (A or AAAA) to your domain registrar’s DNS.

            *Neglecting to add the Cloudflare Custom Nameservers and IPs as glue records prior to changing your nameserver (NS) records will lead to all DNS lookups for your domain failing.             

  1. Update the nameservers at your registrar to direct to the Custom Nameservers.

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