If you want your website or application to be accessible on the internet, you need to configure DNS. One of the easiest ways to manage DNS in the cloud is using Amazon Route 53.
What is a Hosted Zone?
A hosted zone in AWS is like a container for DNS records of your domain. It tells the internet where your domain is hosted and how to route traffic to it.
What is Route 53?
Amazon Route 53 is a scalable DNS service provided by AWS that helps route user requests to applications running in AWS or outside it.
Step-by-Step Setup of Hosted Zone
Step 1: Log in to AWS Console
Go to AWS Management Console
Enter your credentials and log in
Step 2: Open Route 53 Service
In the search bar, type Route 53
Click on the service to open the dashboard
Step 3: Go to Hosted Zones
In the left panel, click on Hosted Zones
This shows all your existing domains.
Step 4: Create Hosted Zone
Click on “Create hosted zone”
Fill in the details:
Domain Name: (e.g., yourdomain.com)
Type:Public Hosted Zone (for websites)
Step 5: Create the Zone
Click Create Hosted Zone
AWS will automatically generate:
NS (Name Server) records
SOA (Start of Authority) record
Step 6: Copy Name Servers
You will see 4 NS records
Copy these values carefully
Step 7: Update Domain Registrar
Go to your domain provider (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
Replace existing name servers with AWS Route 53 name servers
Step 8: Add DNS Records
Now configure records inside your hosted zone:
A Record → Points domain to IP address
CNAME Record → Points domain to another domain
MX Record → For email routing
Step 9: Save Changes
Click Create Record
Your DNS setup is now active
Step 10: Wait for Propagation
DNS changes take time (few minutes to 24 hours)
After propagation, your domain will start working
Hosted zone = DNS container
NS records = connect domain to Route 53
DNS records = define routing behavior
Propagation time = delay before changes reflect globally
Top comments (0)