How to point a subdomain from Hostinger to an external server

Learn how to create a subdomain if you only have a domain name at Hostinger

Updated 4 weeks ago

If you have a domain name at Hostinger and want to use a subdomain with an external service, you can create a DNS record to point that subdomain to the external server.

This setup allows visitors to access your external service using a subdomain such as shop.domain.tld.

Before you start

This guide applies if:

  • You purchased a domain at Hostinger without a hosting plan.

  • Your domain uses Hostinger nameservers.

  • The subdomain will be hosted outside Hostinger.

If you have a hosting plan at Hostinger and want to host a website on a subdomain, create the subdomain in hPanel following this guide: Sow to create a subdomain in Hostinger instead. In that case, DNS is configured automatically.

Create the subdomain DNS record in hPanel

  1. Log in to hPanel.
  2. Go to the Domains section.
  3. Click on Manage next to the domain name
  4. Go to DNS / Nameservers on the left sidebar
  5. Add the required DNS records.

The record type and values depends on the information provided by your external service.

Option 1 – IP Address

Use an A record if the external provider gives you a server IP address.

Add the record with:

  • Type: A
  • Host: The subdomain name only (for example, shop)
  • Points to: The destination IP address
  • TTL: Leave the default value

This connects the subdomain directly to a specific server.

Option 2 – CNAME

Use a CNAME record if the external provider gives you a domain name (for example, example.otherhost.com).

Add the record with:

  • Type: CNAME
  • Host: The subdomain name only (for example, shop)
  • Points to: The destination domain name
  • TTL: Leave the default value

This makes your subdomain an alias of another domain.

After creating the record

Once the DNS record is saved, propagation begins. DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to fully apply, although they often update sooner.

If you are checking the subdomain shortly after making changes, use a private or incognito browser window to avoid cached results.

NOTES

  • Creating a DNS record points the subdomain but does not create website files or hosting.
  • If your domain uses external nameservers, manage DNS records with that provider instead of Hostinger.
  • Follow any additional DNS instructions provided by your external service, such as adding TXT or MX records if required.