# What is CNAME flattening?

> CNAME flattening lets you point a root domain like yourname.com at a service that needs a CNAME. How it works, ALIAS and ANAME records, and when you need it.

**CNAME flattening**: CNAME flattening lets a root domain behave like a CNAME by having the DNS provider resolve the target and answer with its IP addresses.

CNAME flattening is how you point a root domain, like yourname.com, at a hosted service that asks for a CNAME record, even though DNS does not normally allow it.

## The problem it solves

A **CNAME** record says "this name is an alias for that name". Hosted services love CNAMEs because they can move servers without you changing anything.

But the DNS standard does not allow a CNAME at the **root** of a domain (the "apex", like yourname.com), because the root also needs other records, like the ones for email. So you can easily point links.yourname.com at a service, but not yourname.com itself.

## How flattening works

With **CNAME flattening**, you enter a CNAME at the root in your DNS provider. When someone looks up your domain, the provider follows the CNAME itself and answers with the final IP addresses, as if you had entered them directly. The outside world sees a normal, standards-compliant answer.

Some providers call the same idea an **ALIAS** or **ANAME** record. Cloudflare DNS flattens root CNAMEs automatically.

## When you need it

Only if you want a service on the bare root domain. If a subdomain is fine, like me.yourname.com or links.yourname.com, a plain CNAME works with any DNS provider and leaves your email untouched.

If your registrar's DNS does not support flattening, you can move just your DNS to a provider that does, without moving the domain itself.

## On makerhandle

makerhandle Pro supports both. The editor shows the exact records to add, checks them and issues SSL automatically. A root domain needs CNAME flattening or ALIAS support. See [custom domain](https://makerhandle.com/features/custom-domain) and [a personal website for $20 a year](https://makerhandle.com/for/personal-website).

## Questions

### Why can't I put a CNAME on my root domain?

The DNS standard forbids a CNAME alongside other records, and a root domain always has other records.

### Is an ALIAS record the same as CNAME flattening?

Practically, yes. Different providers use different names for the same idea.

### Does CNAME flattening affect email?

No. Your MX records stay as they are.

### Does Cloudflare support CNAME flattening?

Yes. Cloudflare DNS flattens CNAMEs at the root automatically.

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Source: https://makerhandle.com/glossary/cname-flattening
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