When you change your domain's nameservers or DNS records, the change does not happen instantly worldwide. DNS propagation is the process of the new information spreading across all DNS servers globally.
Why Does Propagation Take Time?
The internet has thousands of DNS servers around the world. Each server caches (stores temporarily) your domain's DNS information for a period called the TTL (Time to Live). Until the TTL expires, each DNS server serves the old cached data.
Common TTL values:
- 14400 seconds (4 hours) — Hordanso default TTL
- 86400 seconds (24 hours) — common default at many registrars
- 3600 seconds (1 hour) — recommended when you plan to make changes soon
Typical Propagation Timeline
- 1–4 hours: Most visitors worldwide will see the new DNS
- 24 hours: Over 95% of global DNS servers updated
- 72 hours: Full global propagation complete
What Happens During Propagation?
During propagation, different people in different locations may see different results:
- Someone in Lagos may see your new site
- Someone in London may still see the old site
- You yourself may see different results depending on your browser cache and ISP
This is completely normal. There is nothing wrong — it just takes time.
How to Check Propagation Status
- net — check your domain's A record or nameservers from servers across multiple countries
- org — similar propagation checker with visual map
- Google Admin Toolbox (toolbox.googleapps.com/apps/dig/) — check DNS records from Google's DNS infrastructure
How to Speed Up Propagation
- Lower your TTL to 300 seconds (5 minutes) at least 24 hours before making the DNS change — this way old caches expire quickly
- After the change propagates, raise the TTL back to 14400 or 86400 for better performance
- Clear your browser DNS cache: in Chrome, go to chrome://net-internals/#dns and click Clear host cache
Tip: If you are migrating a live website, plan the DNS change for a low-traffic period (e.g., late night or early morning). This minimises the number of visitors who see the old site during propagation.
