Yes — you can point your domain to Squarespace without transferring the registration: simply edit the DNS zone. This guide explains the steps to follow using cPanel, the precautions (impact on email), and the checks to perform.

Before you begin — prerequisites

  • Access to your cPanel account (credentials) for the relevant domain. See: How do I access my cPanel account?.
  • Access to the Squarespace admin to retrieve the exact DNS records required by Squarespace (verification string, CNAME target for www www, and IPv4 addresses for the root).
  • Verify where the DNS zone is managed: if the domain's nameservers do not point to your hosting, edit the zone at the registrar or at the third‑party DNS provider.
  • Backup the current DNS zone (screenshot or export) and note the MX records if you use an external email service. See: MX records and email routing in cPanel.

Quick reminders (terms)

  • A record : associates a domain name with an IPv4 address (e.g. 198.185.159.144 198.185.159.144).
  • CNAME record : makes a name an alias of another hostname (e.g. www → ext‑custom.squarespace.com www → ext‑custom.squarespace.com).
  • MX : records that indicate your mail servers — do not modify them if you host your email elsewhere.
  • TTL (Time To Live): the length of time a DNS record is cached by resolvers; affects propagation speed.

Step-by-step (recommended method: modify the DNS zone from cPanel)

  1. Request the connection of a third‑party domain in Squarespace — In the Squarespace admin, choose the option to connect a third‑party domain. Squarespace will list the DNS records you need to create:
    • a verification CNAME (a unique string),
    • a CNAME for www pointing to the target specified by Squarespace,
    • one or more A records for the domain root (examples below).

    Important : copy exactly the values shown in your Squarespace interface — do not reuse the example IP addresses without verification.

  2. Open the DNS Zone Editor (Zone Editor) in cPanel — Log in to cPanel and click on Zone Editor.
    Access the DNS Zone Editor from the cPanel dashboard
    Open Zone Editor in cPanel.
  3. Choose the domain to modify (if there are multiple domains in the account) then click on Manage to open the list of records.
    Choose the domain to manage in the cPanel DNS Zone Editor
    Select the domain in the Zone Editor.
  4. Add the requested CNAME records :
    1. Verification CNAME : create a CNAME record with the name and value provided by Squarespace (the destination value is often verify.squarespace.com verify.squarespace.com or an identical value provided by Squarespace).
    2. CNAME for www : add a CNAME with www as the name and the target provided by Squarespace (e.g. ext‑custom.squarespace.com).

      Warning : if www already has an A record, remove it before adding the CNAME (you cannot have an A and a CNAME for the same name).

    Unsaved example of adding a CNAME record in DNS Zone Management
    Unsaved example of adding a CNAME record in DNS Zone Management
  5. Add the A records for the root (if Squarespace requests them) : create as many A records as Squarespace specifies. Commonly requested examples: 
    198.185.159.144
198.185.159.145
198.49.23.144
198.49.23.145

    In cPanel, for the field Name use @, leave it blank depending on the interface, or enter your domain name without www. Always verify the exact values shown in your Squarespace account before saving.

    Unsaved example of adding a A record in DNS Zone Management
    Unsaved example of adding a A record in DNS Zone Management
  6. Save and wait for propagation — DNS changes can propagate in a few minutes but sometimes take up to 24–48 hours depending on the TTL and ISPs' caches. After propagation, return to the Squarespace interface and start the domain verification/connection.
  7. Check TLS/SSL activation — Squarespace automatically issues an SSL certificate once the records are correct; HTTPS activation can take from a few minutes to a few hours.

If the DNS zone is managed elsewhere (registrar or DNS provider)

If the domain's nameservers do not point to your cPanel hosting, apply exactly the same changes (CNAME/A) from the registrar's or third‑party DNS provider's DNS panel. If you use a third‑party service that proxies/accelerates DNS (CDN/proxy), temporarily disable the proxy so the records are visible during verification.

Important precautions

  • Do not delete or modify MX records if you use an external email service (Gmail, Exchange, Email PRO, etc.). Back them up before making any changes.
  • Do not create an A record and a CNAME for the same name (technical conflict).
  • Squarespace IP addresses can change: always copy the values shown in your Squarespace account at the time of configuration.
  • Keep a copy (export or screenshot) of the DNS zone before making changes so you can revert quickly.

Checks and tests

  • Online tools: use a DNS checker (A/CNAME lookup) if you prefer a graphical interface.
  • Command line (for advanced users): 
    dig +short example.com A

dig +short www.example.com CNAME
    These commands query public DNS servers directly.
  • After propagation, Squarespace should confirm the connection and automatically enable HTTPS.

Troubleshooting — common situations and actions

  • Squarespace reports 'incorrect records' : check for typing errors and verify the presence of the verification CNAME and the CNAME for www www, as well as the A records for the root. Remove any conflicting record (A/AAAA on wwwwww).
  • The site works on www www but not on example.com example.com : check that the A records (for the root) exist and point to the IPs provided by Squarespace.
  • The SSL certificate does not appear : wait for full DNS propagation, then an additional 1–2 hours for Squarespace to create the certificate.
  • Emails are no longer received : restore your MX records immediately from the backup and contact support if necessary.
  • Unable to add a CNAME for www www : locate and delete the existing A/AAAA record for www first. www (see the record management interface in cPanel to Edit or Delete).
  • I cannot modify the zone in cPanel : the domain may not be added to your cPanel account, or DNS management may be centralized in the client area. See: How to add a domain name to my cPanel Web Hosting package? or modify the zone from your client area if DNS management is available there.
Locate Edit in the DNS record list
Locate Edit in the DNS record list

Final checklist

  • You have created the verification CNAME and the CNAME www (without typos).
  • You have added the A records for the root, if requested.
  • MX records remain unchanged if you use an external mail service.
  • You have waited for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours) and verified the connection in Squarespace.

Useful internal links

Need help? If you'd like us to review or apply the changes for you, open a support ticket and include the domain name and the exact DNS records provided by Squarespace.

Documentation consulted on October 17, 2026. Tools may vary depending on your hosting.