BIND zone file Netlify DNS
Import a zone file into Netlify DNS.
9 record types move as they are. 2 things work differently at Netlify, and the preview shows exactly which of your records they affect.
Free preview. Read-only. Nothing changes until you apply.
What works differently
Generated from the same provider capability data the migration engine uses.
Moves as-is
- A
- AAAA
- CNAME
- MX
- TXT
- NS
- SRV
- CAA
- SPF
PTR, DS, HTTPS, SVCB, TLSA, SSHFP, NAPTR, LOC, CERT, URI, DHCID, DNAME, OPENPGPKEY, RP, SMIMEA aren't available
TTLs below 60s are raised
A typical Zone file zone at Netlify
Example records for example.com. Open any flagged row to read why it changed.
Zone file Netlify
- ExactA@
192.0.2.60
- ExactMX@
10 mx1.mail.example.net. +1
- ExactTXT@
"v=spf1 include:_spf.example.net -all"
- ExactCAA@
0 issue "letsencrypt.org"
- ExactTXT_dmarc
"v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com"
- ExactSRV_sip._tls
100 1 443 sip.example.net.
- TranslatedAfast
192.0.2.61
TTL 30s is outside the allowed range. Set to 60s.
- UnsupportedSSHFPssh
Not migrated
Netlify doesn't support SSHFP records through its API.
- ExactCNAMEwww
example.com.
| Status | Type | Name | At Netlify | TTL | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exact | A | @ |
| 1h | |
| Exact | MX | @ |
| 1h | |
| Exact | TXT | @ |
| 1h | |
| Exact | CAA | @ |
| 1h | |
| Exact | TXT | _dmarc |
| 1h | |
| Exact | SRV | _sip._tls |
| 1h | |
| Translated | A | fast |
| 1m | |
| Unsupported | SSHFP | ssh | Not migrated | — | |
| Exact | CNAME | www |
| 1h |
How the move works
- 1
Connect Zone file
Paste or upload the zone file you want to move.
- 2
Connect Netlify
Connect Netlify (Personal access token). Write access is only used when you apply.
- 3
Review the preview
Check every record marked Review or Unsupported. Each one explains what changes and why.
- 4
Apply to Netlify
We snapshot the Netlify zone, write in batches, and leave Zone file untouched.
- 5
Verify
We query Netlify's own nameservers for every record and compare the answers before you switch.
- 6
Switch nameservers
Lower TTLs a day or two ahead, remove any DS record if DNSSEC is on, then point the domain at the new nameservers at your registrar.
Good to know about Zone file
- Zone files can't express provider features like proxying, alias records or routing policies.
Access we need: No credentials. Everything stays in your browser until you choose to save it.
Good to know about Netlify
- NETLIFY and NETLIFYv6 site records are read as an ALIAS (apex) or CNAME to the site's netlify.app hostname, and we never change or delete them on Netlify.
- Netlify DNS doesn't support DNSSEC, so turn it off at the registrar before switching nameservers.
- Netlify has no record update endpoint, so each change is a delete followed by a create.
Access we need: A personal access token has full access to your teams. Netlify tokens can't be read-only.
Questions
Will there be downtime moving from Zone file to Netlify?
Not if both providers serve the same answers during the switch. The records are copied to Netlify and verified before you change nameservers, so resolvers get the same answer from either side while caches expire.
Do I have to delete anything at Zone file?
No. We never write to Zone file. Keep the old zone for a week after cutover so you can switch back instantly if anything looks wrong.
What about DNSSEC?
If DNSSEC is on, remove the DS record at your registrar and wait for it to expire before switching nameservers. Then enable DNSSEC at Netlify and publish its new DS record. The cutover plan walks you through each step.
Ready to see your own zone?
Start a free preview