# What Is a CNAME Record and How to Use It

#### WHAT IS A CNAME RECORD?

CNAME stands for Canonical Name. CNAME records can be used to alias one name to another.

<p class="callout info">For example, if you have a server where you keep all of your documents online, it might normally be accessed through `docs.example.com`. You may also want to access it through `documents.example.com`. One way to make this possible is to add a CNAME record that points `documents.example.com` to `docs.example.com`. When someone visits `documents.example.com`they will see the exact same content as `docs.example.com`.</p>

#### ADD A CNAME RECORD

1. Sign in with [https://admin.dotroll.com](https://admin.dotroll.com/?swcfpc=1) with your username and password
2. In the top menu bar, click the **Domains** / **My Domains** menu.
3. Select the domain name for which you want to make the change and then click on it.
4. In the **Manage** box on the left, select **Manage DNS**.
5. At the bottom of the page, click **Add**. 
    - In the first field, you can enter a subdomain name, or leave blank
    - the TTL value can be selected in the second field, but typically the default is 1 hour
    - select **CNAME** from the next drop-down list.
    - enter the destination host name in the last field.
6. Then click **Save Changes**.