# Use a custom domain for a Confluence site

To use a custom domain for a Confluence site published with Capable Sites, a Confluence admin opens the site's **Settings**, chooses **Custom domains**, selects **Add domain** and enters a full hostname such as `docs.example.com`. Then add the two DNS records the card shows: a validation CNAME for the certificate, and a CNAME that points your domain at the site.

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## Before you start

* You need to be a Confluence admin.
* You need access to your domain's DNS records. A subdomain such as `docs.example.com` is easiest. A bare `example.com` needs a DNS provider that supports ALIAS or CNAME flattening.
* A site can have one custom domain. Its original address keeps working.

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## Steps

1. Open Capable, choose **Sites**, open your site, and select **Settings**, then the **Custom domains** card.
2. Select **Add domain**, type the full hostname in **Domain name** and select **Add**.
3. Optionally add the TXT record shown to prove ownership. The claim lasts 48 hours.
4. Select **Continue setup**.
5. Copy the Name and Value under **DNS Validation Required** into a CNAME record at your DNS provider. Wait while the card shows **Validating...**.
6. When the card shows **DNS Configuration**, add the CNAME record it gives you to point your domain at the site.
7. Wait for the domain to show as **Active**, then open it in a browser.

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## If it does not work

* **Stuck on Validating...** The validation CNAME is missing or behind a proxy. Checks run every 5 minutes for up to 48 hours.
* **Domain is already in use on another CloudFront distribution.** Remove the domain from the other distribution, wait about 5 minutes, then select **Retry**.
* **Google or Microsoft sign-in on the new domain.** It works without changes. Visitors sign in on your domain as before.

[Setting up a custom domain](https://help.gocapable.com/sites/setting-up-a-custom-domain.html) covers every stage and error.

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## Related

### [Setting up a custom domain](https://help.gocapable.com/sites/setting-up-a-custom-domain.html)

Every stage, record and error.

### [Custom domains](https://help.gocapable.com/sites/custom-domains.html)

What custom domains can and cannot do.

### [Domain problems](https://help.gocapable.com/sites/domain-problems.html)

When setup stalls or fails.

### [Custom domains and URLs](https://help.gocapable.com/sites/custom-domains-and-urls.html)

More domain and URL guides.

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_Your domain, two DNS records, one site._