---
title: "What is a Root domain?"
canonical: https://www.beehiiv.com/newsletter-glossary/root-domain
description: "In reference to a URL, the root domain, or root, is the part that features the domain name. For example, in [yourwebsite.com], yourwebsite is the root or domain name, whereas [www.yourwebsite.com] or [mail.yourwebsite.com] are subdomains. Understanding these URL aspects is essential to adding custom domains to your beehiiv account, as explained in this KB article."
source: live-converter
generated: 2026-05-11T00:48:35.498Z
---

# What is a Root domain?

-   [Newsletter Glossary](/newsletter-glossary)
-   Root domain

# Root domain

In reference to a URL, the root domain, or root, is the part that features the domain name. For example, in \[yourwebsite.com\], **yourwebsite** is the root or domain name, whereas \[www.yourwebsite.com\] or \[mail.yourwebsite.com\] are subdomains. Understanding these URL aspects is essential to adding custom domains to your beehiiv account, as explained [in this KB article](https://support.beehiiv.com/hc/en-us/articles/12999491162391-Understanding-domains-in-beehiiv).

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