Articles on: Custom Domains

How to connect a domain you already own

There are two ways to connect a domain you already bought elsewhere — automatic or manual. You choose, and if automatic setup isn't possible with your domain provider, we take you to the manual steps.


Custom domains are available on the Solo plan and above. Solo includes up to 5 domains, and Pro and Pro Max include up to 15.


Looking to buy a new domain through us instead? See our guide on Buying a Domain Through Tiiny Host.


Before you start


  • You're logged in to Tiiny Host
  • You know the domain name you want to connect
  • You can log in to your domain provider's website, in case you need the manual path


Step 1 — Add your domain


  1. Go to tiiny.host/manage and log in.
  2. Scroll to the Custom Domain section and click Add new.The Add new button in the Custom Domain section
  3. Enter your domain name. To host under a subdomain like blog.yourdomain.com, tick the subdomain checkbox below the input.

The domain name input with the subdomain checkbox

  1. Click Next.
  2. When asked if you own the domain, click Yes.The domain ownership question


Step 2 — Choose how to add the DNS records


You'll be asked How would you like to add DNS records? Pick one and click Next.


  • Automatically (Simple setup) → Follow the automatic path below. If your domain provider can't be set up automatically, we'll take you to the manual path instead.
  • Manually (Advanced set-up) → Skip to the manual path.


Automatic Path


We use a service called Entri to detect your domain provider and add the records for you.


  1. Click Continue, then log in and authorize the connection when your provider asks.

The Entri authorization screen

  1. You'll see a "DNS successfully updated" message. Skip to Validating your domain below.

The DNS successfully updated confirmation


If the screen gets stuck loading, click Add manually instead. That switches you to the manual path.

The Add manually instead button below the stuck loading screen


Manual path


  1. Tiiny Host shows you the DNS records you need to add. Keep this page open — you'll be copying from it. We also email you the same records.

The DNS records Tiiny Host asks you to add

  1. In a new tab, log in to your domain provider and find the DNS management section.
  2. Add each record, matching the Type, Name/Host and Value/Target fields exactly.
  3. Back in Tiiny Host, tick I have added the above DNS records and click Next.

The confirmation checkbox for added DNS records


Every provider's DNS menu looks slightly different. If you can't find the right page, searching "[your provider name] how to add DNS record" or asking an AI assistant will usually get you there.


Validating your domain


DNS changes aren't instant, they need to spread across the internet first. This usually takes about 15 minutes, occasionally up to 24 hours.


After you click Next, your domain shows a 15-minute countdown. When it ends, a Validate button appears.


You can check progress at dnschecker.org: enter your domain and see whether your new records are showing globally.


Once they are:

  1. Go back to your Tiiny Host dashboard.
  2. Click Validate.

The Validate button on the custom domain


If it doesn't validate first time, wait a few more minutes and try again. That's almost always a propagation delay rather than a problem with your setup.


Once your domain shows as Validated, you're done. Every project you publish to this domain from now on is a normal upload with no DNS steps.


A domain showing as Validated


Domain not validating?


See our Common Custom Domain Issues guide for the most frequent causes (suffix formatting, missing CAA records, provider-specific quirks) and how to fix them.


Ready to publish?


See Publishing to Your Custom Domain to put your first project live.

Updated on: 13/10/2026

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!