Vercel DNS Setup Guide

How to Set Up DNS Records on Vercel

Vercel is a leading platform for deploying frontend frameworks and serverless functions, with built-in DNS and domain management. This guide covers how to configure DNS records on Vercel, connect custom domains to your deployments, and set up email and verification records.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

1. Access Vercel Domain Settings Navigate to domain management in your Vercel dashboard.
   • Log into vercel.com/dashboard with your account
   • Select your project from the dashboard
   • Click 'Settings' tab, then 'Domains' in the left menu
   • Or go to account Settings > Domains for account-level domain management
2. Add Custom Domain to Project Connect your domain to a Vercel deployment.
   • Click 'Add Domain' and enter your domain name
   • Vercel shows required DNS records for connection
   • Choose between Vercel nameservers or adding individual records at your registrar
   • For Vercel nameservers: ns1.vercel-dns.com and ns2.vercel-dns.com
3. Configure DNS Records Add required DNS records at your domain registrar.
   • Add A record for @ pointing to 76.76.21.21
   • Add CNAME record for www pointing to cname.vercel-dns.com
   • If using Vercel DNS, add custom records in Vercel dashboard under Domains > DNS Records
   • MX and TXT records can be added for email and verification
4. Verify DNS Propagation Confirm domain connection and SSL provisioning.
   • Vercel automatically checks DNS configuration and shows status
   • SSL certificates are provisioned automatically after DNS propagation
   • Vercel shows green checkmark when domain is fully connected
   • Use ReviewMyDNS to verify DNS propagation across global servers

Common DNS Record Types on Vercel

• A Record: Points root domain to Vercel's edge network. The IP 76.76.21.21 is Vercel's standard A record value for all projects. Type: A, Host: @, Value: 76.76.21.21, TTL: 3600
• CNAME Record: Points www subdomain to Vercel's DNS. Use cname.vercel-dns.com as the target. This enables Vercel's edge network and automatic SSL. Type: CNAME, Host: www, Value: cname.vercel-dns.com, TTL: 3600
• MX Record: Routes email to your mail server. Vercel doesn't provide email hosting. Add MX records for Google Workspace, Zoho, or other email providers. Type: MX, Host: @, Value: mx.google.com, Priority: 1, TTL: 3600
• TXT Record: Stores text for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and domain verification. Add TXT records for email authentication and third-party services. Type: TXT, Host: @, Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all, TTL: 3600

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Vercel showing 'Invalid Configuration' for domain: Verify A record @ points to 76.76.21.21 and CNAME www points to cname.vercel-dns.com at your registrar. DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours. Check ReviewMyDNS for propagation status. If using Vercel nameservers, ensure registrar has ns1.vercel-dns.com and ns2.vercel-dns.com.
• SSL certificate not generating: Vercel auto-provisions SSL after DNS propagation. Ensure DNS records are correct and fully propagated. Check for CAA records that might block certificate issuance. If SSL doesn't appear after 48 hours, remove the domain and re-add it in Vercel dashboard.
• Deployment not showing on custom domain: Verify the domain is assigned to the correct Vercel project in Settings > Domains. Check that the production branch has a successful deployment. Ensure DNS records point to Vercel (not a previous hosting provider). Clear browser cache and try incognito mode.
• Email not working with Vercel domain: Vercel doesn't provide email hosting. If using Vercel DNS, add MX records in the Vercel dashboard under Domains > DNS Records. If using external DNS, add MX records at your registrar. Include SPF and DKIM TXT records for email authentication.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Vercel's nameservers? Vercel's nameservers are ns1.vercel-dns.com and ns2.vercel-dns.com. Set these at your domain registrar to use Vercel DNS for full DNS management. Alternatively, keep your existing DNS provider and add individual A/CNAME records.
• How long does Vercel DNS propagation take? Vercel DNS record changes propagate within minutes when using Vercel DNS. For external DNS changes, propagation takes 1-48 hours depending on your registrar and TTL values. Vercel shows real-time connection status in the dashboard. Use ReviewMyDNS for global verification.
• Should I use Vercel DNS or external DNS? Vercel DNS is recommended for simplicity - it auto-configures records for your deployments and handles SSL automatically. Use external DNS (Cloudflare, Route53) if you need advanced features like DDoS protection, geo-routing, or if you have many non-Vercel services on the domain.
• What IP address does Vercel use for A records? Vercel uses 76.76.21.21 as the standard A record IP for all projects. This IP routes to Vercel's global edge network. For IPv6, Vercel also supports AAAA records - check Vercel documentation for the current IPv6 address.