Connecting a third-party subdomain to your Squarespace site

Connecting a third-party subdomain to your Squarespace site

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Last updated July 06, 2026 14:51

Map your third-party subdomain to your site.

A subdomain is an extension of your domain name that forwards to your site. The most common subdomain is “www,” as in www.yourdomain.com. If your domain provider supports alternate subdomains, you can also use a subdomain like blog.yourdomain.com, where the subdomain is “blog,” to redirect to your site. The process of connecting a domain or subdomain to your site is also called mapping.

Use this guide if you're using a subdomain with an existing third-party domain. If you have a Squarespace-managed domain, visit Creating a subdomain for your Squarespace domain.

Note: All connected subdomains will point to the homepage and lead to your primary domain. It isn't possible to connect a subdomain to a page that isn't your homepage.

Before you begin

You'll need a registered domain to set up a subdomain. You can register a domain with Squarespace, including a free custom domain if you're on the yearly plan. If you prefer to register with a third-party provider, ensure they offer full DNS access. Examples include GoDaddy, Network Solutions, or Namecheap.
After you register a domain, set up your subdomain with your provider.
You don't need to connect your root domain to your site to connect a subdomain. For example, you can connect blog.yourdomain.com by following this guide, but you don't need to connect yourdomain.com first.

Step 1 - Start the connection in Squarespace

To connect your domain, start in your Squarespace site:

Open the Domains panel.
Click Use a Domain I Own.
Enter the subdomain name (for example, blog.yourdomain.com) you’re connecting in the Enter domain field, then click the arrow.
Click Connect Domain.
Select Other from the dropdown menu. Even if your third-party provider is listed in the dropdown menu, you should still select Other to connect a subdomain.
Click Connect Domain.
In the message that appears, click Continue.

After you click continue, the DNS Settings panel will appear. This panel displays the DNS records you need to enter in your provider's account to connect your subdomain to your Squarespace site. Keep this panel open for your reference.

Step 2 - Log into your domain account

In a new browser tab or window, log into your domain account, and find where you manage your DNS settings. Depending on your provider, this may be called DNS, Advanced DNS Records, Manage Domains, Zone File Settings or something similar. For help finding these settings, refer to our provider-specific guides, or to your provider’s own support documentation.

Here, you'll create the records listed in your Squarespace DNS settings panel to correctly link your subdomain to your Squarespace site.

Step 3 - Add the first CNAME record

In the first line of your Squarespace DNS Settings, copy the unique code that appears directly below the Name column. The unique code is a random string of numbers and letters that must point to verify.squarespace.com.

In your domain provider's DNS manager, create a CNAME using the following information:


Record Type	Alias or Host Name	Points to, Data, or Value
CNAME	Copy and paste the unique code under Host on the first line.	verify.squarespace.com

In the Alias or Host Name field, paste the unique code from the Domains panel (the random string of numbers and letters). Then add a period (“.”) at the end (with no spaces), followed by your subdomain. For example, if you're connecting blog.yourdomain.com, the format should be: verificationcode.blog
In the Record Type field, choose CNAME or CNAME Alias.
In the Points to, Data, or Value field, enter verify.squarespace.com

Note: If you don't add this CNAME, or if it's entered incorrectly, the subdomain will unlink from your site after 15 days. If this happens, you can start over to reconnect the subdomain.

If you experience issues verifying your subdomain with a CNAME Record or if your domain provider doesn't support CNAME Records, try our troubleshooting steps below.

Step 4 - Add the second CNAME record

In the second line of your Squarespace DNS Settings, your subdomain appears directly below the Host column. You'll point your subdomain to ext-cust.squarespace.com in your provider's DNS manager. To create the second CNAME record:


Record Type	Alias or Host Name	Points to, Data, or Value
CNAME	your subdomain	ext-cust.squarespace.com

In the Alias or Host Name, enter your subdomain. For example, if you're connecting blog.yourdomain.com, the format should be: blog
In the Record Type field, choose CNAME or CNAME Alias.
In the Points to, Data, or Value field, enter ext-cust.squarespace.com

If your domain provider doesn't support CNAME records, try our troubleshooting steps below.

Step 5 - Refresh

After changing your records, return to your Squarespace DNS Settings and click Refresh Records in the top-right corner.

The Current Data column in the panel will start to update and display “Record found” when the correct records are detected. It can take up to 48 hours for this information to be processed.

The www CNAME will display as “Record not found,” even after the subdomain is connected.

Step 6 - Wait for the connection to complete

If all records are entered correctly, your subdomain will connect to your site in 24 to 48 hours. Visit the Domains panel at any time to check your progress.

When the domain is correctly linked, the subdomain will direct to your Squarespace site and show a “Connected” label in the Domains panel.

Note: Even if your subdomain directs properly, you may not see a “Connected” label in your subdomain panel. This is normal, as the www prefix isn't recognized for subdomains.

Step 7 - Uncheck Use WWW Prefix

The final step is to disable the “www” prefix from appearing. This is only required if you've set your subdomain as your primary domain.

Open the Domains panel.
Click the subdomain.
Ensure Use “www” prefix toggle is switched off.

Note: Wait until your subdomain is correctly linked to complete this step, or you may see a “WWW Prefix Toggle Failed” error message.

Troubleshooting

If you can't add CNAME records

If your domain provider doesn't support CNAME records, you can use TXT records instead. You'll add two TXT records in place of the two CNAME records:

To add the first CNAME record, follow the steps for verifying your domain with a TXT record. You can also use this method if you experience issues verifying your subdomain.
To add the second CNAME record, follow the instructions in step four of this guide selecting TXT as the Record Type.

If your records aren't set up properly

If we detect that your records weren’t set up properly, your subdomain will appear in the Domains panel with the message “We couldn't verify domain ownership.”

To troubleshoot, use the DNS checker tool in the Domains panel to see the exact CNAME and A records to fix with your domain provider. Click the domain in the Domains panel, then click View DNS settings. Keep these tips in mind:

A records in your provider's DNS settings that are pointing to IP addresses can interfere with the connection. Delete any A records pointing your subdomain to a different site in your domain provider's account.
You can ignore A records listing “Record not found” in your Squarespace DNS Settings. Only CNAMEs are needed to connect a subdomain.

For more troubleshooting tips, visit Troubleshooting domain connections. For help with DNS settings or setting up your subdomain in your domain provider’s account, we recommend contacting their support team.

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Connecting a third-party subdomain to your Squarespace site