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Custom nameservers

With custom (or vanity) nameservers, a domain can use Cloudflare DNS without using Cloudflare-branded nameservers. For instance, you can configure ns1.example.com and ns2.example.com as nameservers for example.com.

To use custom nameservers, a zone must be using Cloudflare as Primary (Full setup) or Secondary DNS provider.

Configuration scope

Availability

  • Zone custom nameservers are available for zones on Business or Enterprise plans. Via API or on the dashboard.
  • Account custom nameservers are available for customers on Business (after contacting Cloudflare Support) or Enterprise plans. Once configured, account custom nameservers can be used by all zones in the account, regardless of the zone plan. Via API only.
  • Tenant custom nameservers, if created by the tenant owner, will be available to all zones belonging to any account that is part of the tenant. Via API only.

Restrictions

Custom nameservers are organized in different sets (ns_set). Each namesever set must have at least two and no more than five custom nameserver names.

The advantages that come with Foundation DNS advanced nameservers are currently not available for custom nameservers.