How to Connect Cloudflare to a Domain (Nameserver Method)
Move DNS to Cloudflare for free CDN, firewall and HTTPS in 4 steps.
By DigitalNepal · Updated 2026-10-04
Cloudflare sits in front of your site: faster DNS, free SSL, basic attack protection. Switching means changing nameservers.
Steps
1Add site to Cloudflare
Sign up, add domain, free plan. Cloudflare imports existing DNS - verify every record copied.
2Replace nameservers
At the registrar, swap to Cloudflare's pair. Keep the old page open until propagation completes.
3Set SSL Full
SSL/TLS > Full (strict with valid origin cert). Avoid Flexible - it causes redirect loops.
4Check records and mail
Confirm A/CNAME plus MX records survived. Test site, email and subdomains.
Good to know: Screenshot old DNS first. One deleted MX record silences company email.
FAQ
Orange vs grey cloud?
Orange = proxied (CDN+firewall). Grey = DNS only (needed for some mail/verification records).
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