# Set Up Cloudflare DNS – CDN, Nameservers & Improve Performance

Set up Cloudflare DNS & CDN: switch nameservers, proxy mode, SSL, improve Core Web Vitals – make your website faster with Cloudflare.

**Quick answer:** Cloudflare offers free CDN, DDoS protection and fast DNS – often under 10 ms response time. Set up correctly you significantly improve load times, Core Web Vitals and Google rankings.

## When is Cloudflare worth it?

- WordPress or shop websites with international traffic
- Slow load times (PageSpeed score below 70)
- Core Web Vitals issues (LCP, CLS)
- DDoS protection needed
## Set up Cloudflare – step by step

- Create account at cloudflare.com (Free plan is enough)
- Add domain → Cloudflare scans existing DNS records
- Verify records! Add missing MX, TXT, A records manually
- Note nameservers → enter at registrar → [Nameserver guide](/en/domain/nameserver)
- Set SSL mode: Full or Full (strict)
- Enable performance features
## Proxy mode: Orange vs grey cloud

Website records (A/CNAME) → orange (proxied). Mail records (MX/TXT) → grey (DNS only).ModeWhat happens?When to use?
Proxied (orange)Traffic via Cloudflare CDN, IP hiddenWebsite A/CNAME records
DNS only (grey)DNS only, no CDNMX, SPF, DKIM, mail, FTP, game servers
## Common Cloudflare errors

ErrorCauseFix
521Origin unreachableServer online? Firewall port 443 open?
522Connection timeoutWhitelist Cloudflare IPs in firewall
525SSL handshake failedSet SSL mode to Full, check certificate
## Related guides

- [Change nameservers](/en/domain/nameserver)
- [DNS guide](/en/domain/dns-what-is-it)
- [Set up SSL](/en/domain/ssl-einrichten)
- [Website performance](/en/webspace/website-schneller-machen)