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How to Lower Network Latency With Cloudflare DNS in 2026
Changing your DNS to Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 service can lower network latency (the delay between sending a request and receiving a response) by up to 30% compared to standard ISP servers. By routing your traffic through Cloudflare’s global edge network, you can reduce lookup times to under 15ms, significantly improving the speed of web browsing and online gaming. Most users can complete this setup in less than five minutes across Windows, macOS, or mobile devices.
Why does changing your DNS improve speed?
DNS (Domain Name System) acts like a phonebook for the internet. It translates human-friendly names like "google.com" into IP addresses (numerical labels like 142.251.46.238) that computers use to find each other.
When you type a URL, your computer asks a DNS server for the correct IP address. Most people use the default server provided by their ISP (Internet Service Provider—the company you pay for internet).
Standard ISP servers are often slow, congested, or located far away from your physical home. Cloudflare operates a massive network of servers in over 300 cities, ensuring your request hits a local machine almost instantly.
What are the benefits of using 1.1.1.1?
The primary benefit is reduced latency, which makes the internet feel "snappier." You will notice that websites begin loading faster after you click a link because the initial "handshake" happens quicker.
Privacy is another major factor in making the switch. Unlike many ISPs, Cloudflare does not sell your browsing data to advertisers and wipes its logs every 24 hours.
We have found that Cloudflare's support for modern encryption standards is its strongest feature. It uses DoH (DNS-over-HTTPS—a protocol that hides your DNS requests inside encrypted web traffic) to prevent hackers or third parties from seeing which sites you visit.
How do you set up Cloudflare on Windows 11?
In late 2026, Windows 11 has streamlined its network settings to prioritize security and encryption. You no longer need to navigate the old Control Panel for basic DNS changes.
Step 1: Open Network Settings Right-click the Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon in your taskbar (bottom right) and select "Network and Internet settings." This opens the main connectivity hub for your PC.
Step 2: Access Connection Properties Click on "Properties" or "Connection properties" next to your active network name. Scroll down until you see the section labeled "DNS server assignment."
Step 3: Edit DNS Settings Click the "Edit" button, change the dropdown from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual," and toggle the "IPv4" switch to "On."
Step 4: Enter Cloudflare Addresses
Type 1.1.1.1 in the Preferred DNS field and 1.0.0.1 in the Alternate DNS field.
Step 5: Enable Encryption Change the "DNS over HTTPS" dropdown to "On (automatic template)." This ensures your requests are encrypted and private by default.
Step 6: Save and Verify Click "Save." You should see the new IP addresses listed under your network properties, indicating your traffic is now routed through Cloudflare.
How do you configure DNS on macOS?
Apple has made it very simple to adjust network settings in the latest versions of macOS. The process is consistent whether you are using a MacBook or an iMac.
Step 1: Open System Settings Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." Navigate to the "Network" tab in the left-hand sidebar.
Step 2: Select Your Network Click on your active connection (usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Look for the "Details..." button next to your connected network and click it.
Step 3: Add DNS Servers Select "DNS" from the sidebar menu in the popup window. Click the "+" icon under the "DNS Servers" list.
Step 4: Input the Addresses
Add 1.1.1.1 and then click the "+" again to add 1.0.0.1. Click "OK" to apply the changes.
Can you change DNS on gaming consoles?
Gamers often see the biggest impact from DNS changes because low latency is critical for competitive play. While the PlayStation 5 Pro and the latest Xbox Series iterations have fast hardware, their default network settings are often basic.
On a PlayStation 5 Pro, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection. Hover over your network, press the "Options" button, and select "Advanced Settings" to find the DNS fields.
On the latest Xbox consoles, go to Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > DNS Settings. Choose "Manual" to enter the Cloudflare addresses.
Don't worry if the "Primary" and "Secondary" labels look different than on a PC. They function exactly the same way, providing a backup server if the first one is busy.
What are the common mistakes to avoid?
It is normal to feel a bit nervous when changing system settings, but DNS changes are easily reversible. The most common mistake is forgetting to update both the Primary and Secondary fields.
If you only enter 1.1.1.1, your computer might still use your old, slow ISP server as a backup. Always provide both addresses to ensure consistent speed.
Another "gotcha" is failing to flush your DNS cache (a temporary storage area on your computer that remembers old DNS lookups). After changing settings, you can open a terminal and type ipconfig /flushdns on Windows to start fresh.
If you find that some local websites (like your router's login page) stop working, it is usually because of a typo in the IP address. Double-check that you typed "1.1.1.1" and not "1.1.1.11."
Next Steps
Once you have configured your devices, you might want to explore advanced network optimization. A great next step is learning how to set up DNS at the router level, which automatically protects every device in your home.
You can also look into "WARP," which is Cloudflare’s free tool that combines 1.1.1.1 with a basic VPN (Virtual Private Network—a secure tunnel for your internet traffic). This provides even more security without the heavy speed loss of traditional VPNs.
To learn more about the technical side of how these systems work, visit the official Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 documentation.