What Is TTL (Time to Live)?
TTL (Time to Live) in DNS is a value in seconds that tells DNS resolvers how long they should cache a record before fetching a fresh copy from the authoritative server. Lower TTL means faster propagation of changes but more DNS queries.
Why It Matters
TTL directly controls how fast DNS changes propagate. If your A record has a TTL of 86400 (24 hours) and you change it to point to Domain Forward, resolvers worldwide will continue serving the old IP for up to 24 hours. With a TTL of 300 (5 minutes), the change propagates within minutes.
Understanding TTL is critical for planning domain forwarding setup and migrations with minimal downtime.
Common TTL Values
| TTL Value | Duration | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | 5 minutes | Pre-migration preparation, frequently changing records |
| 3600 | 1 hour | Active services where occasional changes are expected |
| 86400 | 24 hours | Stable records that rarely change (common default) |
The TTL Trade-off
Low TTL (300-600):
- Changes propagate quickly
- More DNS queries hit your authoritative server
- Slightly higher latency for first-time visitors (more lookups)
High TTL (3600-86400):
- Changes take longer to propagate
- Fewer DNS queries = reduced load
- Faster resolution for cached visitors
How to Use TTL When Setting Up Domain Forward
- 24-48 hours before migration: Lower TTL on all affected records to 300 seconds
- Wait for the old TTL to expire: If the old TTL was 86400, wait 24 hours for all caches to refresh with the new low TTL
- Make the DNS change: Update records to point to Domain Forward
- After propagation completes: Optionally raise TTL back to 3600 for steady-state operation
This “TTL lowering” technique minimizes the window where visitors might reach the wrong server during migration.
Related Terms
Related Features
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