---
disqus_identifier: 'https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/pages/getting_started_part_three.html'
stage: Release
group: Release
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
---

# Custom domains and SSL/TLS certificates **(FREE)**

Setting up GitLab Pages with custom domains, and adding SSL/TLS certificates to them, are optional features of GitLab Pages.

To use one or more custom domain names with your Pages site, you can:

- Add a [custom **root domain** or a **subdomain**](#set-up-pages-with-a-custom-domain).
- Add [SSL/TLS certification](#adding-an-ssltls-certificate-to-pages).

## Set up Pages with a custom domain

To set up Pages with a custom domain name, read the requirements
and steps below.

### Requirements

- A GitLab Pages website up and running, served under the default Pages domain
  (`*.gitlab.io`, for GitLab.com).
- A custom domain name `example.com` or subdomain `subdomain.example.com`.
- Access to your domain's server control panel to set up DNS records:
  - A DNS A or CNAME record pointing your domain to GitLab Pages server.
  - A DNS `TXT` record to verify your domain's ownership.
- Set either `external_http` or `external_https` in `/etc/gitlab/gitlab.rb` to the IP and port of
  your [Pages Daemon](../../../../administration/pages/index.md#overview).
  If you don't have IPv6, you can omit the IPv6 address.

  Example:

  ```ruby
  # Redirect pages from HTTP to HTTPS
  gitlab_pages['external_http'] = ['192.0.2.2:80', '[2001:db8::2]:80'] # The secondary IPs for the GitLab Pages daemon
  gitlab_pages['external_https'] = ['192.0.2.2:443', '[2001:db8::2]:443'] # The secondary IPs for the GitLab Pages daemon
  ```

### Steps

Follow the steps below to add your custom domain to Pages. See also
this document for an [overview on DNS records](dns_concepts.md).

#### 1. Add a custom domain to Pages

Navigate to your project's **Setting > Pages** and click **+ New domain**
to add your custom domain to GitLab Pages. You can choose whether to:

- Add an [SSL/TLS certificate](#adding-an-ssltls-certificate-to-pages).
- Leave it blank (it can be added later).

Click **Create New Domain**.

![Add new domain](img/add_certificate_to_pages.png)

#### 2. Get the verification code

After you add a new domain to Pages, the verification code prompts you. Copy the values from GitLab
and paste them in your domain's control panel as a `TXT` record on the next step.

![Get the verification code](img/get_domain_verification_code_v12_0.png)

#### 3. Set up DNS records for Pages

Read this document for an [overview of DNS records for Pages](dns_concepts.md).
If you're familiar with the subject, follow the instructions below
according to the type of domain you want to use with your Pages site:

- [For root domains](#for-root-domains), `example.com`.
- [For subdomains](#for-subdomains), `subdomain.example.com`.
- [For both](#for-both-root-and-subdomains).

You can [configure IPv6 on self-managed instances](../../../../administration/pages/index.md#advanced-configuration),
but IPv6 is not currently configured for Pages on GitLab.com.
Follow [this issue](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/214718) for details.

##### For root domains

Root domains (`example.com`) require:

- A [DNS A record](dns_concepts.md#a-record) pointing your domain to the Pages server.
- A [TXT record](dns_concepts.md#txt-record) to verify your domain's ownership.

| From                                          | DNS Record | To              |
| --------------------------------------------- | ---------- | --------------- |
| `example.com`                                 | A          | `35.185.44.232` |
| `_gitlab-pages-verification-code.example.com` | `TXT`        | `gitlab-pages-verification-code=00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff` |

For projects on GitLab.com, this IP is `35.185.44.232`.
For projects living in other GitLab instances (CE or EE), please contact
your sysadmin asking for this information (which IP address is Pages
server running on your instance).

![DNS A record pointing to GitLab.com Pages server](img/dns_add_new_a_record_example_updated_2018.png)

WARNING:
Note that if you use your root domain for your GitLab Pages website
**only**, and if your domain registrar supports this feature, you can
add a DNS apex `CNAME` record instead of an `A` record. The main
advantage of doing so is that when GitLab Pages IP on GitLab.com
changes for whatever reason, you don't need to update your `A` record.
There may be a few exceptions, but **this method is not recommended**
as it most likely doesn't work if you set an [`MX` record](dns_concepts.md#mx-record) for your root domain.

##### For subdomains

Subdomains (`subdomain.example.com`) require:

- A DNS [CNAME record](dns_concepts.md#cname-record) pointing your subdomain to the Pages server.
- A DNS [TXT record](dns_concepts.md#txt-record) to verify your domain's ownership.

| From                                                    | DNS Record | To                    |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | --------------------- |
| `subdomain.example.com`                                 | CNAME      | `namespace.gitlab.io` |
| `_gitlab-pages-verification-code.subdomain.example.com` | `TXT`        | `gitlab-pages-verification-code=00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff` |

Note that, whether it's a user or a project website, the `CNAME`
should point to your Pages domain (`namespace.gitlab.io`),
without any `/project-name`.

![DNS CNAME record pointing to GitLab.com project](img/dns_cname_record_example.png)

##### For both root and subdomains

There are a few cases where you need to point both the subdomain and root
domain to the same website, for instance, `example.com` and `www.example.com`.

They require:

- A DNS A record for the domain.
- A DNS CNAME record for the subdomain.
- A DNS `TXT` record for each.

| From                                              | DNS Record | To                     |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | ---------------------- |
| `example.com`                                     | A          | `35.185.44.232`        |
| `_gitlab-pages-verification-code.example.com`     | `TXT`        | `gitlab-pages-verification-code=00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff` |
|---------------------------------------------------+------------+------------------------|
| `www.example.com`                                 | CNAME      | `namespace.gitlab.io`  |
| `_gitlab-pages-verification-code.www.example.com` | `TXT`        | `gitlab-pages-verification-code=00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff` |

If you're using Cloudflare, check
[Redirecting `www.domain.com` to `domain.com` with Cloudflare](#redirecting-wwwdomaincom-to-domaincom-with-cloudflare).

> **Notes**:
>
> - **Do not** use a CNAME record if you want to point your
  `domain.com` to your GitLab Pages site. Use an `A` record instead.
> - **Do not** add any special chars after the default Pages
  domain. For example, don't point `subdomain.domain.com` to
  or `namespace.gitlab.io/`. Some domain hosting providers may request a trailing dot (`namespace.gitlab.io.`), though.
> - GitLab Pages IP on GitLab.com [was changed](https://about.gitlab.com/releases/2017/03/06/we-are-changing-the-ip-of-gitlab-pages-on-gitlab-com/) in 2017.
> - GitLab Pages IP on GitLab.com [has changed](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/2018/07/19/gcp-move-update/#gitlab-pages-and-custom-domains)
  from `52.167.214.135` to `35.185.44.232` in 2018.

#### 4. Verify the domain's ownership

Once you have added all the DNS records:

1. Go back at your project's **Settings > Pages**.
1. Locate your domain name and click **Details**.
1. Click the **Retry verification** button to activate your new domain.

![Verify your domain](img/retry_domain_verification_v12_0.png)

As soon as your domain becomes active, your website is available through your domain name.

WARNING:
Considering GitLab instances with domain verification enabled,
if the domain can't be verified for 7 days, it's removed
from the GitLab project.

> **Notes:**
>
> - Domain verification is **required for GitLab.com users**;
  for GitLab self-managed instances, your GitLab administrator has the option
  to [disabled custom domain verification](../../../../administration/pages/index.md#custom-domain-verification).
> - [DNS propagation may take some time (up to 24h)](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/domain-names/dns-nameserver-changes/complete-guide-to-dns-records/),
  although it's usually a matter of minutes to complete. Until it does, verification
  fails, and attempts to visit your domain result in a 404.
> - Once your domain has been verified, leave the verification record
  in place. Your domain is periodically reverified, and may be
  disabled if the record is removed.

##### Troubleshooting Pages domain verification

To manually verify that you have properly configured the domain verification
`TXT` DNS entry, you can run the following command in your terminal:

```shell
dig _gitlab-pages-verification-code.<YOUR-PAGES-DOMAIN> TXT
```

Expect the output:

```plaintext
;; ANSWER SECTION:
_gitlab-pages-verification-code.<YOUR-PAGES-DOMAIN>. 300 IN TXT "gitlab-pages-verification-code=<YOUR-VERIFICATION-CODE>"
```

In some cases it can help to add the verification code with the same domain name as you are trying to register.

For a root domain:

| From                                              | DNS Record | To                     |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | ---------------------- |
| `example.com`                                     | `TXT`        | `gitlab-pages-verification-code=00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff` |
| `_gitlab-pages-verification-code.example.com`     | `TXT`        | `gitlab-pages-verification-code=00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff` |

For a subdomain:

| From                                              | DNS Record | To                     |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | ---------------------- |
| `www.example.com`                                 | `TXT`        | `gitlab-pages-verification-code=00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff` |
| `_gitlab-pages-verification-code.www.example.com` | `TXT`        | `gitlab-pages-verification-code=00112233445566778899aabbccddeeff` |

### Adding more domain aliases

You can add more than one alias (custom domains and subdomains) to the same project.
An alias can be understood as having many doors leading to the same room.

All the aliases you've set to your site are listed on **Setting > Pages**.
From that page, you can view, add, and remove them.

### Redirecting `www.domain.com` to `domain.com` with Cloudflare

If you use Cloudflare, you can redirect `www` to `domain.com`
without adding both `www.domain.com` and `domain.com` to GitLab.

To do so, you can use Cloudflare's page rules associated to a
CNAME record to redirect `www.domain.com` to `domain.com`. You
can use the following setup:

1. In Cloudflare, create a DNS `A` record pointing `domain.com` to `35.185.44.232`.
1. In GitLab, add the domain to GitLab Pages and get the verification code.
1. In Cloudflare, create a DNS `TXT` record to verify your domain.
1. In GitLab, verify your domain.
1. In Cloudflare, create a DNS `CNAME` record pointing `www` to `domain.com`.
1. In Cloudflare, add a Page Rule pointing `www.domain.com` to `domain.com`:
   - Navigate to your domain's dashboard and click **Page Rules**
     on the top nav.
   - Click **Create Page Rule**.
   - Enter the domain `www.domain.com` and click **+ Add a Setting**.
   - From the dropdown menu, choose **Forwarding URL**, then select the
     status code **301 - Permanent Redirect**.
   - Enter the destination URL `https://domain.com`.

## Adding an SSL/TLS certificate to Pages

Read this document for an [overview on SSL/TLS certification](ssl_tls_concepts.md).

To secure your custom domain with GitLab Pages you can opt by:

- Using the [Let's Encrypt integration with GitLab Pages](lets_encrypt_integration.md),
  which automatically obtains and renews SSL certificates
  for your Pages domains.
- Manually adding SSL/TLS certificates to GitLab Pages websites
  by following the steps below.

### Manual addition of SSL/TLS certificates

You can use any certificate satisfying the following requirements:

- A GitLab Pages website up and running accessible via a custom domain.
- **A PEM certificate**: it is the certificate generated by the CA,
  which needs to be added to the field **Certificate (PEM)**.
- **An [intermediate certificate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_certificate_authority)**: (aka "root certificate"), it is
  the part of the encryption keychain that identifies the CA.
  Usually it's combined with the PEM certificate, but there are
  some cases in which you need to add them manually.
  [Cloudflare certs](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/2017/02/07/setting-up-gitlab-pages-with-cloudflare-certificates/)
  are one of these cases.
- **A private key**, it's an encrypted key which validates
  your PEM against your domain.

For example, [Cloudflare certificates](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/2017/02/07/setting-up-gitlab-pages-with-cloudflare-certificates/)
meet these requirements.

#### Steps

- To add the certificate at the time you add a new domain, go to your
  project's **Settings > Pages > New Domain**, add the domain name and the certificate.
- To add the certificate to a domain previously added, go to your
  project's **Settings > Pages**, locate your domain name, click **Details** and **Edit** to add the certificate.

![Pages project - adding certificates](img/add_certificate_to_pages.png)

1. Add the PEM certificate to its corresponding field.
1. If your certificate is missing its intermediate, copy
  and paste the root certificate (usually available from your CA website)
  and paste it in the [same field as your PEM certificate](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/2017/02/07/setting-up-gitlab-pages-with-cloudflare-certificates/),
  just jumping a line between them.
1. Copy your private key and paste it in the last field.

**Do not** open certificates or encryption keys in
regular text editors. Always use code editors (such as
Sublime Text, Atom, Dreamweaver, Brackets, etc).

## Force HTTPS for GitLab Pages websites

To make your website's visitors even more secure, you can choose to
force HTTPS for GitLab Pages. By doing so, all attempts to visit your
website through HTTP are automatically redirected to HTTPS through 301.

It works with both the GitLab default domain and with your custom
domain (as long as you've set a valid certificate for it).

To enable this setting:

1. Navigate to your project's **Settings > Pages**.
1. Tick the checkbox **Force HTTPS (requires valid certificates)**.

If you use Cloudflare CDN in front of GitLab Pages, make sure to set the SSL connection setting to
`full` instead of `flexible`. For more details, see the [Cloudflare CDN directions](https://support.cloudflare.com/hc/en-us/articles/200170416-End-to-end-HTTPS-with-Cloudflare-Part-3-SSL-options#h_4e0d1a7c-eb71-4204-9e22-9d3ef9ef7fef).

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