How to rename a domain using a redirect on Cloudflare

If you own two domains, and want one to redirect cleanly to the other while stuck on Cloudflare, the configuration is complex.

Say, for example, you want requests to redirect as follows:

• avg.name to average.name
• foo.avg.name to foo.average.name
• bar.avg.name/baz to bar.average.name/baz
• etc.

First, ensure both domains are listed in your Cloudflare Dashboard under “Websites”. The target domain (e.g. average.name) should already be configured with appropriate DNS for its subdomains.

Next, for clients to attempt to resolve user requests, your alias domain (e.g. avg.name) must have some DNS records. Configure the alias domain with two CNAME records:

• CNAME @ average.name – point root to the target domain
• CNAME * average.name – point all subdomains to the target domain

Finally, in the “Rules” section of your alias domain, find the “Redirect Rules” section. Create a rule as follows:

• When: any incoming request’s Hostname ends with the alias domain (e.g. the expression (ends_with(http.host, "avg.name"))),
• Then: run a Dynamic URL redirect with the expression concat("https://", substring(http.host, 0, -8), "average.name", http.request.uri).
  • Replace the -8 value with the length of your alias domain.
• Status code as appropriate (e.g. 302).
• Enable “Preserve query string”.
• Name the rule something appropriate like “Redirect to main”.

Then deploy the new rule.

After a few moments, all requests at your alias domain will redirect as expected.

You can do other transformations in the Target Expression field if you need. You’ll find the reference documentation for the available Fields and Functions on Cloudflare’s site.