# Connect a custom domain from Hostinger

Your domain is managed in the Hostinger hPanel. The record goes in the DNS records area for your domain.

## Steps

1. Go to **hpanel.hostinger.com** and log in to your Hostinger account.
2. In the top menu, click **Domains**, then open **Domain portfolio**.
3. Click the domain you want to connect to open its management page.
4. In the left sidebar, click **DNS / Nameservers**, then select the **DNS records** tab.
5. Under **Add new record**, choose the type in the **Type** dropdown (for example **CNAME** or **TXT**).
6. In the **Name** field, enter the label Droply gave you (see "Good to know" for the root domain).
7. In the **Target** field (also shown as **Points to**), paste the target Droply shows you (the one above).
8. Leave **TTL** at its default unless told otherwise.
9. Click **Add Record** to save it, and repeat for any second record Droply shows.

## Notes

- **Name field = label only.** Enter just the host part; Hostinger adds your domain. For `www.yourdomain.com` type only `www`.
- For the root/main domain, type `@` in the **Name** field (that means the bare domain itself).
- Hostinger does not allow a **CNAME** on the root `@` record. If Droply asks for a root CNAME, use the label it provides (often `www`) instead.
- Copy the target character for character; a stray space or missing letter breaks the connection.
- After saving, DNS changes can take **up to 24 hours** to propagate, though it is often much faster.
- If your domain uses external nameservers (not Hostinger's), the record must be added at that other provider instead.