Add Domain to Cloudflare
Learning Focus
By the end of this lesson you will know how to add a domain to Cloudflare, initiate DNS scanning, and verify the setup.
Steps
- Log into Cloudflare Dashboard at
dash.cloudflare.com - Click Add a Site
- Enter your domain name (e.g.,
example.com) - Select a plan (Free tier is sufficient for most setups)
- Cloudflare will scan your existing DNS records automatically
After Adding
Cloudflare scans your existing DNS and imports records. Review them carefully:
| Record Type | Name | Value | Proxy Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | @ | Your server IP | Proxied (orange cloud) |
| A | www | Your server IP | Proxied |
| MX | @ | Your mail server | DNS only (grey) |
info
Mail records (MX, SPF, DKIM) should always be DNS only (grey cloud) — Cloudflare does not proxy email traffic.
Verification
After adding the domain, Cloudflare will prompt you to change your nameservers.
Key Takeaways
- Adding a domain to Cloudflare is the first step in edge integration.
- Review all auto-imported DNS records before proceeding.
- Keep mail records unproxied (DNS only).
What's Next
- Continue to Change Nameservers to complete the setup.