Configuring a Custom Sending Domain (DNS) in Cartwheel

Last updated: June 16, 2026

This article walks you through how to configure a custom DNS domain so that Cartwheel emails are sent from your own domain instead of a Cartwheel email address.

Note: DNS configuration requires the Email Theme & DNS white labeling feature enabled for your account by a Cartwheel Super Admin. Contact support to have it activated.

Before You Begin

  • You have access to your organization's DNS settings (typically through your domain registrar or hosting provider).

  • You have a subdomain ready to use (e.g., cw.mydomain.com).

  • DNS propagation can take time. Verification may not succeed immediately after adding records.

Step 1: Open White Labeling Settings

In your Cartwheel account, go to Settings in the left navigation. Select White Labeling.

Note: If you are a parent company, select a staffing agency from the selector at the top in order to configure the DNS.

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Step 2: Add Your Domain

In the DNS tile, click Add Domain. Enter your subdomain in the field provided (e.g., cw.mydomain.com) and click Add Domain.

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If the domain is already in use, an error will appear, and you will need to try a different domain. Once successfully added, Step 1 will display as complete, and the View and Verify DNS Records button in Step 2 will become active.

Step 3: Install DNS Records

Click View and Verify DNS Records. The Verify DNS Records pop-up will display the required DNS TXT and CNAME records for your domain.

For each record:

  1. Copy the Host (Name) and Value (Points to) values using the copy icon.

  2. Add the records in your DNS provider's settings.

Once all records have been added, click Verify & Install.

  • If verification fails, an error will appear. Check your DNS configuration and try again.

  • If all records verify successfully, you will be returned to the White Labeling section and a "DNS Configuration Complete" toast will appear.

Troubleshooting: If you have set DNS records but they remain unverified, check whether a CNAME exists on _domainkey.(yourdomain). A CNAME on a subdomain delegates all DNS records for that subdomain to a different DNS server — make sure you have assigned those records on the correct DNS server.

Step 4: Create Your Email Theme

After DNS is configured, the "Create Theme" button in the Step 3: Create Email Theme tile will become active. Click "Create Theme to design your email theme. See the

📄 Setting Up White Label Emails in Cartwheel knowledge base article for full instructions.

Managing Your Domain

Once DNS is configured, a ••• menu will appear in the top-right of the DNS tile with the following options:

  • View DNS Records — Opens the Verify DNS Records modal.

  • Remove Domain — Removes the domain and all DNS configuration. Emails will revert to being sent from a Cartwheel email address until a new domain is set up and verified.