What Are My Name Servers?
A 'name server' is a specialized server that hosts DNS zone files and plays a vital role in the Domain Name System (DNS). It helps translate domain names into IP addresses and helps browsers make connections between URLs and websites.
How name servers Work
It is the job of name servers to translate your URL into IP addresses, which is a language computers can understand and retrieve information about the website from a network of servers worldwide.
Say you want to visit a site called snappyhostgator.com.You search for snappyhostgator.com using a browser, then your computer immediately loads a webpage, giving you access to its website. This may look simple; however, the process is more technical than how it looks behind the scenes.
When you type in snappyhostgator.com in a browser, your computer sends a request to snappyhostgator.com's name servers. Those name servers then respond with the IP address of the website. Your browser will then send a request for the website content of that IP address. Once your browser retrieves the information requested, the website content will load. All of these happen so quickly that you don't get to notice it happening – unless an error occurs.
Where can I find my HostGator name servers?
HostGator sends you a Welcome email whenever you purchase a hosting package. Your name server information is found in your Welcome email and Customer Portal. Shared hosting customers can also find their HostGator name servers in their cPanel. Here is an example of what name servers look like:
- ns0000.hostgator.com
- ns1111.hostgator.com
Options 1: In your Welcome email
Despite the type of account you have with HostGator, your Welcome email, which was sent to your registered email address, will contain the name servers of your hosting package.
Option 2: In your Customer Portal
HostGator customers are given access to their Customer Portal to manage their accounts. All hosting packages in your HostGator account have their name servers, and their information is provided in your Customer Portal.
To locate your name servers in your Customer Portal:
- Log in to https://portal.hostgator.com.
- From the left-side menu, click Hosting.
- In the Hosting Packages section, locate your hosting package, then click the Manage link.
- Click the Settings tab.
- You will find your name servers listed under Nameserver 1 and Nameserver 2.
Option 3: In your cPanel (Shared web hosting only)
For Shared Hatchling, Baby, and Business plans, you can look up your name servers in the General Information section of your cPanel.
To locate your name servers in cPanel:
- Log in to your cPanel. Your cPanel credentials are provided in your Welcome email. You can also launch your cPanel through your Customer Portal.
- On your cPanel homepage, look for the General Information section on the right side.
- Your name servers are listed under Primary Nameserver and Secondary Nameserver.
How to use HostGator name servers
To manage your websites in your HostGator account, you need to use HostGator name servers. Please check out this article to point your domain name here at HostGator: How Do I Change My DNS or Name Servers?.
Should I use generic or private name servers?
If you are a Reseller, you can opt to use Private Name Servers instead of the generic name servers we provide. If you are a VPS or Dedicated Server owner, you must use private name servers. Please visit this helpful guide to learn more about private name servers:
The generic name servers for Resellers do not contain the word hostgator. You can look up the actual generic reseller name servers for your account using the methods above or by contacting HostGator support.