What's does TTL mean for my domain?

Understanding TTL: What It Is and How It Can Work for You

When managing your domain name settings—especially during things like IP changes, email setups, or DNS validation—you might come across a setting called TTL, or Time to Live.

If that sounds a bit technical, don’t worry. This article will walk you through what TTL means, why it matters, and how to use it to your advantage.

What Is TTL?

TTL stands for Time to Live, and it tells DNS servers how long to cache a DNS record (like an A record pointing your domain to an IP address). In simple terms, it controls how long other servers around the world should "remember" your domain's settings before checking for updates.

TTL is usually measured in seconds. For example:

• 3600 seconds = 1 hour
• 86400 seconds = 24 hours
• 300 seconds = 5 minutes

Why TTL Matters

In most cases, TTL can be left at its default value, which is usually 14400 seconds (4 hours) or 86400 (24 hours), depending on your server. This is perfectly fine for day-to-day use and helps balance performance with reliability.

But when you're making changes to DNS records, TTL becomes a powerful tool. Here's how:

When to Adjust TTL

1. Changing Your Domain’s IP Address
   If you’re moving your site to a new server, reduce the TTL (e.g., to 300 seconds) 24–48 hours before the switch. This tells DNS servers to check back more frequently, allowing your changes to propagate faster.
   
   
2. Setting Up Email Services (MX, SPF, DKIM)
   Reducing TTL can help when setting up or modifying email records. It allows you to test and validate changes quickly without waiting hours for them to take effect.
   
   
3. Validating Domain Ownership (e.g., Google, Microsoft 365, SSL providers)
   If you’re adding TXT or CNAME records for validation, a lower TTL ensures your records are picked up faster by verification systems.
   
   
4. Temporary Changes or Testing
   Short TTLs are useful when you’re experimenting with settings and want rapid updates. Just don’t forget to increase it again once you're done!

When to Leave TTL Alone

• For stable, long-term records (like your primary website IP or email server), you can safely stick with the default TTL.
  
  
• Higher TTLs reduce DNS query load and speed up browsing for repeat visitors, so there's no need to lower it unless changes are happening.

How to Update TTL in cPanel

If you manage your DNS through cPanel, updating TTL is straightforward:

1. Log into cPanel
2. Go to Zone Editor
3. Click Manage next to your domain
4. Find the record you want to change (A, MX, CNAME, etc.)
5. Click Edit
6. Set your desired TTL (e.g., 300 for 5 minutes)
7. Save

Remember: Always change TTL at least 24 hours in advance if you’re preparing for a major update like an IP change.

Final Thought

TTL may seem like a behind-the-scenes setting, but knowing how to use it can make domain changes smoother, faster, and less stressful. If you’re unsure or planning a DNS update, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to guide you through it.

Drew Beard