{"id":16213,"date":"2025-11-27T06:26:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T06:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kb.cloudhostgeek.com\/docs\/hosting-faq\/n8n-vps-hosting\/can-i-access-n8n-through-a-custom-domain\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:57:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:57:18","slug":"can-i-access-n8n-through-a-custom-domain","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/www.bigcloudy.com\/knowledge-base\/docs\/hosting-faq\/n8n-vps-hosting\/can-i-access-n8n-through-a-custom-domain\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I access n8n through a custom domain?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"16213\" class=\"elementor elementor-16213\" data-elementor-post-type=\"docs\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65db37f2 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"65db37f2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f4cbe1d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2f4cbe1d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d53eef2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7d53eef2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After installing n8n on your Virtual Private Server (VPS), you may want to access it using a custom domain instead of your server\u2019s IP address. Using a custom domain not only makes your automation dashboard easier to access but also improves security, professionalism, and branding.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, you\u2019ll learn how to access n8n through a custom domain, why it\u2019s beneficial, and how to configure your domain for a secure VPS setup. For reliable VPS hosting to run n8n smoothly, check out<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigcloudy.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BigCloudy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plans.<\/span><\/p><h2><b>Why Use a Custom Domain for n8n?<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accessing n8n at a URL like automation.yourdomain.com is far better than using a raw IP address. It enhances the user experience and provides strong security advantages.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Benefits of Using a Custom Domain<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Professional Access:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Looks polished and credible for businesses and teams.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Easier Management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Simple to remember and convenient for frequent access.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Improved Security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Enables HTTPS using SSL certificates.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Custom Branding:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Aligns your automation platform with your brand identity.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><b>Requirements Before Setting Up a Custom Domain<\/b><\/h2><h3><b>1. Running n8n Instance<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should have n8n already installed and running on your VPS \u2014 via Node.js, PM2, or Docker.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>2. Registered Domain Name<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need an active domain from a registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Google Domains.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>3. DNS Access<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must be able to edit your domain\u2019s DNS settings to point the domain to your VPS IP address.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Step 1: Point Your Domain to the VPS<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To connect your custom domain to your VPS, create a new A record in your DNS settings.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Create an A Record:<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type: A<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Host: automation<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Value: your_vps_ip<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TTL: Automatic or 3600<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Example:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your domain is example.com and your VPS IP is 192.168.1.100, then:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">automation.example.com \u2192 192.168.1.100<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNS propagation typically completes within minutes but may take up to 24 hours.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Step 2: Install and Configure a Reverse Proxy (NGINX)<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To access n8n using your custom domain and secure it with HTTPS, you\u2019ll need a reverse proxy like NGINX.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Install NGINX<\/b><\/h3><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo apt install nginx -y<\/span><\/pre><h3><b>Create a New NGINX Configuration File<\/b><\/h3><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo nano \/etc\/nginx\/sites-available\/n8n.conf<\/span><\/pre><p><b>Add the configuration:<\/b><\/p><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">server {<\/span><\/pre><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0listen 80;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0server_name automation.example.com;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0location \/ {<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_pass http:\/\/localhost:5678\/;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_set_header Host $host;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0}<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">}<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enable the configuration:<\/span><\/p><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo ln -s \/etc\/nginx\/sites-available\/n8n.conf \/etc\/nginx\/sites-enabled\/<\/span><\/pre><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo nginx -t<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo systemctl restart nginx<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http:\/\/automation.example.com<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to verify your dashboard loads.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Step 3: Secure n8n with HTTPS (SSL Certificate)<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To protect your login and workflow data, enable HTTPS using Let\u2019s Encrypt.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Install Certbot<\/b><\/h3><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y<\/span><\/pre><h3><b>Generate and Apply SSL Certificate<\/b><\/h3><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo certbot --nginx -d automation.example.com<\/span><\/pre><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certbot will automatically verify your domain, configure HTTPS, and set up auto-renewal.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit your secure n8n domain: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/automation.example.com<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Step 4: Enable Basic Authentication (Optional)<\/b><\/h3><h3><b>If Running n8n Directly<\/b><\/h3><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">export N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true<\/span><\/pre><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">export N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">export N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=securepassword<\/span><\/p><h3><b>If Using Docker<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Add the following environment variables in your Docker Compose:<\/span><\/p><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">environment:<\/span><\/pre><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0&#8211; N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0&#8211; N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0&#8211; N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=securepassword<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restart n8n to apply changes.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Step 5: Test and Verify<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/automation.example.com<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should see your secure n8n dashboard. If authentication is enabled, you\u2019ll be prompted to log in.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Troubleshooting Tips<\/b><\/h3><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>DNS Not Resolving?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dnschecker.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dnschecker.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to verify propagation.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>NGINX Issues?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Check configuration with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo nginx -t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Firewall Blocking?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ensure ports 80 and 443 are open:<\/span><\/li><\/ol><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo ufw allow 80<\/span><\/pre><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo ufw allow 443<\/span><\/pre><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>SSL Issues?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Test certificate renewal:<\/span><\/li><\/ol><pre><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudo certbot renew --dry-run<\/span><\/pre>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89ed14c e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"89ed14c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f427c3e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f427c3e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes \u2014 you can absolutely access n8n through a custom domain on your VPS. By pointing your domain via DNS, configuring NGINX as a reverse proxy, and securing it with an SSL certificate, you can safely and professionally manage your automation dashboard from anywhere.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a custom domain improves convenience, security, branding, and overall accessibility \u2014 making it the ideal setup for both personal use and enterprise automation environments. For reliable VPS hosting to run n8n, visit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigcloudy.com\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BigCloudy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae6ea78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ae6ea78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Need Help?\n<\/b><\/h2>\nIf you face any issues updating your nameservers or need further assistance, our support team is always available:\n<ul>\n \t<li aria-level=\"1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/16.0.1\/svg\/1f4e7.svg\" alt=\"mail\" \/>\u00a0<b>Email:<\/b>\u00a0support@bigcloudy.com<\/li>\n \t<li aria-level=\"1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/16.0.1\/svg\/1f310.svg\" alt=\"website\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigcloudy.com\/contact-us\">\u00a0<b>Submit a support ticket<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d22b5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d22b5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>FAQ<\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c97d84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"3c97d84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-3c97d84\" data-scroll-on-click=\"no\" data-scroll-speed=\"300\" data-accordion-id=\"3c97d84\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n    <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"can-i-use-any-domain-registrar\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-6351\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M177 159.7l136 136c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L160 255.9l-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L7 329.7c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l136-136c9.4-9.5 24.6-9.5 34-.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Can I use any domain registrar?<\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-6351\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" aria-labelledby=\"can-i-use-any-domain-registrar\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, as long as you can manage DNS records. Common registrars include Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Google Domains.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"do-i-need-nginx-to-use-a-custom-domain\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"2\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-6352\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M177 159.7l136 136c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L160 255.9l-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L7 329.7c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l136-136c9.4-9.5 24.6-9.5 34-.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Do I need NGINX to use a custom domain?<\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-6352\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" aria-labelledby=\"do-i-need-nginx-to-use-a-custom-domain\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, NGINX acts as a reverse proxy to route traffic from your domain to n8n and enables HTTPS.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"can-i-secure-n8n-without-ssl\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"3\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-6353\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M177 159.7l136 136c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L160 255.9l-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L7 329.7c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l136-136c9.4-9.5 24.6-9.5 34-.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Can I secure n8n without SSL?<\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-6353\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" aria-labelledby=\"can-i-secure-n8n-without-ssl\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technically yes, but using HTTPS is highly recommended to protect your data and login credentials.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"can-i-access-n8n-from-multiple-devices\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"4\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-6354\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M177 159.7l136 136c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L160 255.9l-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L7 329.7c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l136-136c9.4-9.5 24.6-9.5 34-.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Can I access n8n from multiple devices?<\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-6354\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" aria-labelledby=\"can-i-access-n8n-from-multiple-devices\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, once your custom domain is configured and secured, you can access n8n from any device with internet access.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"is-basic-authentication-necessary\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab=\"5\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-6355\"><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-advanced-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-accordion-icon e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M177 159.7l136 136c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L160 255.9l-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L7 329.7c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l136-136c9.4-9.5 24.6-9.5 34-.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Is basic authentication necessary?<\/span><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-6355\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" aria-labelledby=\"is-basic-authentication-necessary\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s optional but recommended for an extra layer of security on top of HTTPS.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction After installing n8n on your Virtual Private Server (VPS), you may want to access it using a custom domain instead of your server\u2019s IP address. Using a custom domain not only makes your automation dashboard easier to access but also improves security, professionalism, and branding. In this article, you\u2019ll learn how to access n8n through a custom domain, why it\u2019s beneficial, and how to configure your domain for a secure VPS setup. For reliable VPS hosting to run n8n smoothly, check out BigCloudy plans. Why Use a Custom Domain for n8n? Accessing n8n at a URL like automation.yourdomain.com is far better than using a raw IP address. It enhances the user experience and provides strong security advantages. Benefits of Using a Custom Domain Professional Access: Looks polished and credible for businesses and teams. Easier Management: Simple to remember and convenient for frequent access. Improved Security: Enables HTTPS using SSL certificates. Custom Branding: Aligns your automation platform with your brand identity. Requirements Before Setting Up a Custom Domain 1. Running n8n Instance You should have n8n already installed and running on your VPS \u2014 via Node.js, PM2, or Docker. 2. Registered Domain Name You\u2019ll need an active domain from a registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Google Domains. 3. DNS Access You must be able to edit your domain\u2019s DNS settings to point the domain to your VPS IP address. Step 1: Point Your Domain to the VPS To connect your custom domain to your VPS, create a new A record in your DNS settings. Create an A Record: Type: A Host: automation Value: your_vps_ip TTL: Automatic or 3600 Example:If your domain is example.com and your VPS IP is 192.168.1.100, then: automation.example.com \u2192 192.168.1.100 DNS propagation typically completes within minutes but may take up to 24 hours. Step 2: Install and Configure a Reverse Proxy (NGINX) To access n8n using your custom domain and secure it with HTTPS, you\u2019ll need a reverse proxy like NGINX. Install NGINX sudo apt install nginx -y Create a New NGINX Configuration File sudo nano \/etc\/nginx\/sites-available\/n8n.conf Add the configuration: server { \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0listen 80; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0server_name automation.example.com; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0location \/ { \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_pass http:\/\/localhost:5678\/; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_set_header Host $host; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0} } Enable the configuration: sudo ln -s \/etc\/nginx\/sites-available\/n8n.conf \/etc\/nginx\/sites-enabled\/ sudo nginx -t sudo systemctl restart nginx Visit http:\/\/automation.example.com to verify your dashboard loads. Step 3: Secure n8n with HTTPS (SSL Certificate) To protect your login and workflow data, enable HTTPS using Let\u2019s Encrypt. Install Certbot sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y Generate and Apply SSL Certificate sudo certbot &#8211;nginx -d automation.example.com Certbot will automatically verify your domain, configure HTTPS, and set up auto-renewal. Visit your secure n8n domain: https:\/\/automation.example.com Step 4: Enable Basic Authentication (Optional) If Running n8n Directly export N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true export N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin export N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=securepassword If Using Docker Add the following environment variables in your Docker Compose: environment: \u00a0\u00a0&#8211; N8N_BASIC_AUTH_ACTIVE=true \u00a0\u00a0&#8211; N8N_BASIC_AUTH_USER=admin \u00a0\u00a0&#8211; N8N_BASIC_AUTH_PASSWORD=securepassword Restart n8n to apply changes. Step 5: Test and Verify Visit: https:\/\/automation.example.com You should see your secure n8n dashboard. If authentication is enabled, you\u2019ll be prompted to log in. Troubleshooting Tips DNS Not Resolving? Use dnschecker.org to verify propagation. NGINX Issues? Check configuration with sudo nginx -t. Firewall Blocking? Ensure ports 80 and 443 are open: sudo ufw allow 80 sudo ufw allow 443 SSL Issues? Test certificate renewal: sudo certbot renew &#8211;dry-run Conclusion Yes \u2014 you can absolutely access n8n through a custom domain on your VPS. By pointing your domain via DNS, configuring NGINX as a reverse proxy, and securing it with an SSL certificate, you can safely and professionally manage your automation dashboard from anywhere. Using a custom domain improves convenience, security, branding, and overall accessibility \u2014 making it the ideal setup for both personal use and enterprise automation environments. For reliable VPS hosting to run n8n, visit BigCloudy. Need Help? If you face any issues updating your nameservers or need further assistance, our support team is always available: \u00a0Email:\u00a0support@bigcloudy.com \u00a0Submit a support ticket FAQ Can I use any domain registrar? Yes, as long as you can manage DNS records. Common registrars include Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Google Domains. Do I need NGINX to use a custom domain? Yes, NGINX acts as a reverse proxy to route traffic from your domain to n8n and enables HTTPS. Can I secure n8n without SSL? Technically yes, but using HTTPS is highly recommended to protect your data and login credentials. Can I access n8n from multiple devices? Yes, once your custom domain is configured and secured, you can access n8n from any device with internet access. Is basic authentication necessary? It\u2019s optional but recommended for an extra layer of security on top of HTTPS.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":16203,"menu_order":20,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-16213","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","no-post-thumbnail"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can I Access n8n Through a Custom Domain? 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