Before you touch DNS
Framer’s pricing FAQ states that connecting a custom domain requires upgrading to a paid plan; Free sites use a Framer domain. Basic and Pro both list a free custom domain connection, and yearly plans include a complimentary domain. [2]
Framer is not a domain registrar. Its help article says your domain stays registered with your current provider, so DNS edits happen at that provider, not in Framer. [3]
Framer’s domain article says the free domain offer through Hover requires a yearly plan, can be redeemed once per subscription, renews automatically at the standard rate, forfeits the option to request a refund once redeemed, and is managed through Hover. [1]
- Paid Framer plan active on the right project.
- Login to the registrar or DNS host for the domain.
- A screenshot or export of every existing DNS record before you change anything.
- The project published at least once with the Publish button.
The records Framer documents
Open Site Settings, Hosting, Domains and choose Connect a domain you own, then enter the domain and add the records below at your DNS provider. On 30 October 2026 its help article listed these values; use what your project dashboard shows if it differs. [1]
| You want | Name (host) | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| example.com (root) | @ | A | 31.43.160.6 |
| example.com (root) | @ | A | 31.43.161.6 |
| www.example.com | www | CNAME | sites.framer.app |
| shop.example.com (subdomain) | shop | CNAME | sites.framer.app |
Apex, www and the records you must not touch
Framer asks you to remove or avoid other A or AAAA records on the domain, because they may interfere with its settings. That applies to the host you are pointing at Framer, typically @ and www. Some providers need a trailing dot on the CNAME value, written sites.framer.app. with the dot. [1]
Email works through different records. Cloudflare’s email DNS guide describes an MX record at the root that points to your mail server, plus TXT records for SPF, DKIM and DMARC that authenticate your mail. None of those are A, AAAA or the www CNAME. Leave them exactly as they are. [4]
If your registrar offers a one-click Framer setup, read its preview: confirm it adds only the A and CNAME records and does not replace the zone. Our domain-move guide covers email record checks in more detail.
- Change: A records on @, CNAME on www, any conflicting AAAA on those hosts.
- Do not change: MX, TXT (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification), or CNAMEs used by your email provider.
- Do not switch nameservers unless you are moving every record to the new DNS host.
Waiting for propagation and HTTPS
Framer says DNS changes may take up to 48 hours worldwide, though usually less. When the records resolve, the site becomes available on the new domain. [1]
The help article does not describe a separate verification step or an SSL timing. Treat HTTPS as part of your acceptance check: once the domain loads, open both https://example.com and https://www.example.com and confirm a valid certificate and no browser warning before you announce the launch. [1]
Troubleshooting table
Work top to bottom. Most failures are a leftover record or an early check.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Check or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Domain still shows the old site | Propagation not finished, or an old A record still present | Wait up to 48 hours; delete other A or AAAA records on @ |
| www works but the root does not | Only the CNAME was added | Add both A records on @ |
| Root works but www does not | Missing or mistyped CNAME | Add www CNAME to sites.framer.app, with a trailing dot if your provider needs it |
| Email stops arriving | MX or email records deleted or zone replaced | Restore MX and TXT records from your pre-change export |
| Framer shows an error after 48 hours | Conflicting records or an outage | Recheck records, check framerstatus.com, then contact Framer support |
Acceptance checklist
Keep a dated note of each item for the client or your own records.
- Root and www both load the Framer site over HTTPS.
- A test email to the domain address arrives, and a reply from it is delivered.
- MX and TXT records match the pre-change export.
- The registrar account, renewal date and auto-renew setting are recorded.
- Search settings and the sitemap are checked on the live domain (see the Framer SEO checklist).
Questions before you decide
Can I connect a custom domain on Framer Free?
No. Framer’s pricing FAQ says you need to upgrade to a paid plan to connect a custom domain.
Does connecting Framer move my domain registration?
No. Framer says it is not a domain registrar and the domain remains registered with your current provider. You only edit DNS records there.
How long does a Framer domain take to work?
Framer says DNS changes may take up to 48 hours worldwide, though usually less.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Framer Help: connect a custom domain Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Framer pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Framer Help: is Framer a domain registrar? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Cloudflare Docs: set up email DNS records Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.