---
title: Add and activate your domain · Cloudflare Learning Paths
description: For most customers, adding and activating your domain on Cloudflare is straightforward.
lastUpdated: 2025-02-10T18:09:32.000Z
source_url:
  html: https://a74404c8.preview.developers.cloudflare.com/learning-paths/get-started-free/onboarding/add-and-activate/index.md
  md: https://a74404c8.preview.developers.cloudflare.com/learning-paths/get-started-free/onboarding/add-and-activate/
---

For most customers, adding and activating your domain on Cloudflare is straightforward.

The first step is always the same, to [create a Cloudflare account](https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/setup/account/create-account/).

Your next steps depend on whether you have a domain name, such as `example.com`.

```mermaid
flowchart TD
accTitle: Add and activate your domain at Cloudflare
H[Create account] --> A
A[Do you have a domain name?] -- No --> B[Buy through Cloudflare Registrar]
B --> E[Domain is active]
A -- Yes --> F[Can be transferred to Cloudflare?]
F -- Yes --> G[Transfer to Registrar]
G --> E
F -- No --> C[Add domain to Cloudflare]
C --> D[Change nameservers]
D --Verification period--> E
```

## No domain

If you do not already have a domain name, purchase one through [Cloudflare Registrar](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/get-started/register-domain/).

Registrar simplifies your Cloudflare setup - and is often cheaper than other registrars - so it is our recommended option for most customers.

## Existing domain

### Transfer to Cloudflare

If you already have a domain, the easiest way to get set up with Cloudflare is to [transfer your domain](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/get-started/transfer-domain-to-cloudflare/) to Cloudflare Registrar. Just like with buying a domain name through Cloudflare, this option simplifies your Cloudflare setup.

Note

`.uk` domains work too, just with a [slightly different setup](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/top-level-domains/uk-domains/).

### Keep current registrar

If you cannot transfer your domain or want to keep your current registrar, your setup has a few more steps:

1. [Add your site](https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/setup/manage-domains/add-site/).
2. (*Optional*) If your domain is sensitive to downtime, you may have a [few additional steps](https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/performance/minimize-downtime/).
3. At your registrar (where you bought your domain name), disable DNSSEC.
4. (*For some*) At your origin server, [allow Cloudflare IP addresses](https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/concepts/cloudflare-ip-addresses/).
5. Change your [domain nameservers](https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/zone-setups/full-setup/setup/).
6. Wait for your domain to become [Active](https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/zone-setups/reference/domain-status/) on Cloudflare.

### Troubleshooting

If you have issues activating your domain on Cloudflare, refer to our troubleshooting guides on [adding sites to Cloudflare](https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/zone-setups/troubleshooting/cannot-add-domain/) and [changing nameservers](https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/zone-setups/full-setup/troubleshooting/).
