Understanding Domain Propagation Times
If you have just changed your nameservers or updated a DNS record (such as an A, MX, or CNAME record) and your website is not showing yet — don’t panic. This is a normal part of how the internet works and is called DNS Propagation.
What Is Propagation?
Think of the internet as a massive global phonebook. When you change your hosting or domain settings, you are essentially changing your phone number.
Propagation is the time it takes for every DNS server (the “phonebooks”) used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) around the world to update your old address with the new one.
Some visitors see your new website immediately, while others may still see the old site or an error page until propagation completes.
How Long Does Propagation Take?
The industry standard for full global propagation is 24–48 hours, although changes often happen much faster in East Africa.
| Change Type | Typical Time | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| A, CNAME, TXT Records | 1 – 4 Hours | Individual records are lightweight and update quickly |
| Nameserver (NS) Changes | 24 – 48 Hours | Affects the root of your domain globally |
| New Domain Registration | 1 – 2 Hours | No previous data exists to overwrite |
3 Factors That Affect Propagation Speed
- TTL (Time To Live):
Each DNS record has a TTL value (in seconds). A TTL of 86400 means servers will wait 24 hours before checking for updates again. - Your Internet Provider:
Some ISPs (like Safaricom, Airtel, or Zuku) refresh DNS frequently, while others may update only once or twice per day. - Your Browser Cache:
Even after the internet updates, your browser may still show the old site to save loading time.
How to Check If Propagation Is Finished
You can track propagation in real time using these free tools:
- DNSChecker.org
Enter your domain and select a record type (A or NS) to see a global map showing where the update has reached. - WhatsMyDNS.net
Queries DNS servers in dozens of countries to show what IP address they are currently seeing.
Can I Speed It Up?
You cannot force the global internet to update faster, but you can see the results sooner on your own devices:
- Flush Your DNS Cache (Windows):
Open Command Prompt and run:ipconfig /flushdns - Use Incognito / Private Mode:
This prevents your browser from loading a cached version of your site. - Switch Networks:
Try mobile data instead of Wi-Fi (or vice versa). Different networks refresh DNS at different times.
Pro Tip for Developers
This tells the internet to check for changes more frequently, making your migration almost instant.
If your site still doesn’t load after 48 hours, open a support ticket and our team will verify your DNS settings.
