> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.lilypad.gg/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Point a custom domain to your Minecraft server

A domain like lilypad.gg (or, in the case of an actual server, `hypixel.net`) can make your server look much more professional to potential players, and is easier to share than a traditional IP and port like `66.118.235.132:25565` – luckily, we've made the process of pointing a domain to your server easy.

| You can purchase domains from registrars like [Porkbun](https://porkbun.com), [Cloudflare](https://www.cloudflare.com/en-gb/products/registrar) or [Namecheap](https://namecheap.com). They usually cost $1-10/year. Want something free? We offer a free subdomain on `.minecraft.horse` and a variety of other subdomains via the **Network** tab of your server.

1. Log in to your domain's control panel and head to the page where you can manage DNS records. This might sometimes be called "Custom DNS" or just "DNS".

2. Create an A record with the following information:
* **Type:** A
* **Name:** The bit before the domain, such as `play` if you want your server address to be play.yourdomain.com – if you want players to connect via the root domain like yourdomain.com, most providers will require you to simply set this to `@`
* **Address:** Your server's IP address, excluding the port (for example, `66.118.235.132`)

||| If your DNS is with Cloudflare, make sure the record is set to "DNS only" and the orange cloud is toggled off.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/2266a5cd61214c00/chrome5aqnpgqrqn_pm989z.png)

3. Create an SRV record with the following information if your server's port is **not** 25565:
* **Type:** SRV
* **Name:** `_minecraft._tcp.play` (assuming your subdomain is `play` – just use `_minecraft._tcp` if you're using the root domain)
* **Priority:** `0`
* **Weight:** `0`
* **Port:** Your server's 5-digit port (for example, `25566`)
* **Target:** The full address which players will now connect with, such as play.yourdomain.com

||| If you're asked for a "service" or "protocol" separately, you'll want to use `_minecraft` as the service and `_tcp` as the protocol

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/2266a5cd61214c00/image_yi0oco.png)

Your custom domain should now work! Please note this may, in some cases, take up to 24 hours to take effect. If it's still not working, feel free to get in touch and we'll take a look.