Edit Hosts File in Windows, macOS, and Linux

How to Edit Hosts File in Windows, macOS, and Linux?

How to Edit Hosts File in Windows, macOS, and Linux?

By | April 8, 2026

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Host file is where you map a domain name to an IP address for testing website locally without pointing through domain DNS. In this article, we will explain about how to edit hosts file for the following OS:

  • Windows
  • MacOS
  • Linux

 

What is a hosts file?

A hosts file is a simple text document on your computer that links easy-to-remember domain names (such as www.google.com) to specific IP addresses. It functions as a local, manual override for DNS (Domain Name System), being checked before external DNS servers for fast lookups, testing, or blocking websites.

This file contains IP addresses and their associated hostnames, and is used in network setup, development, or to block access to certain sites by directing them to a non-existent or local IP similar to one localhost used by developer to test application code in computer.

 

Key Scenarios to Edit Hosts File:

1. Resolving domains – Editing the hosts file when hosting a website enables immediate access to your domain without waiting for DNS propagation, which is helpful for quick site verification.

2. Connecting hostnames – DNS servers frequently fail to resolve a hostname to its IP address. Mapping in edit hosts file allows you to manually assign the address.

3. Blocking Websites – For organizations or parents, edit hosts file allows you to block access to a specific website by assigning a custom IP address to its domain.

4. Fixing errors – An unreachable website can happen if its domain doesn’t resolve properly because of DNS problems or incorrect entries. Editing the hosts file can help ensure the IP address is correct.

NOTE: Keep in mind that modifications to the hosts file affect only your local machine.

 

Path to Locate to Edit Hosts File:

  • Windows: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
  • macOS/Linux: /etc/hosts

 

How to Edit Hosts File in OS:

To ensure the new hostname mapped in edit hosts file works correctly, you should clear the DNS cache in browser.

1. In Windows 11/10:

Step 1: Click Start -> Search Notepad -> click Run as administrator and click Yes.

Notepad - Run as Admin

 

Step 2: In notepad, under File option click Open.

File Open - Notepad

 

Step 3: To locate the hosts file, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc and choose All Files. Then select hosts file and click open button.

Hosts File

 

Step 4:  At the bottom of the document, add the IP address followed by a space and domain name.

Example, 

195.195.195.195 domainame.com

195.195.195.195 www.domainame.com

NOTE: Change or update with www if your website URL is updated with it.

 

Step 5: Press Ctrl + S to save the changes.

 

2. In macOS

Step 1: Open the terminal. In the dock, click the Launchpad icon -> search terminal and press Return.

Step 2: To open the notepad, run the below command in the command prompt.

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Step 4: Enter your MAC Password to authenticate and edit hosts file mac.

Step 5: At the bottom of the document, add the IP address followed by a space and domain name.

Example, 

195.195.195.195 domainame.com

195.195.195.195 www.domainame.com

NOTE: Change or update with www if your website URL is updated with it.

 

Step 6: Press Ctrl+O, and then press Return. To exit the nano editor, press Ctrl+X.

 

For graphical user interface, follow below steps:

Step 1: Open Finder, then go to Go -> Go to Folder (or press Command + Shift + G)

Go to Folder - Mac

 

Step 2: Enter /private/etc/hosts and click GO button.

Step 3: Go to /etc and find the hosts file.

Hosts File - Mac

 

Step 4: Right-click the file and select your preferred text editor.

Step 5: Add your configuration at the bottom of the file.

Step 6: Save the changes by pressing Command + S.

 

3. In Linux

Step 1: Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open the Terminal or by selecting it from the application launcher menu.

Step 2:  To open the hosts file in the vi text editor, type the following command.

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Step 3: Enter your administrator password to edit hosts file Linux.

Edit Hosts File

 

Step 4:At the bottom of the document, add the IP address followed by a space and domain name.

195.195.195.195 domain.com

 

Step 5: Press Ctrl+O, and then press Return. To exit the nano editor, press Ctrl+X.

 

Hope you understand and learned how to edit hosts file across popular operating systems.