DNS propagation — how long does it take?
Domains & DNS
When you change DNS records, the change needs to propagate across the global DNS system.
Typical times
- A/CNAME records: 5-30 minutes (with low TTL)
- Nameserver changes: 1-24 hours
- New domains: Usually instant to 1 hour
Why it varies
ISPs and DNS resolvers cache records based on the TTL (Time To Live) value. If your previous TTL was set to 86400 (24 hours), it may take that long for all caches to expire.
Check propagation
Use whatsmydns.net to see if your DNS changes have propagated globally.
Tip
Before making DNS changes, lower your TTL to 300 (5 minutes) a day in advance. This ensures the switch happens quickly when you're ready.