Optimize Clash DNS With Cloudflare

Optimize Clash DNS With Cloudflare | Generated by AI

Home 2026.02

Question: How about changing to Cloudflare DNS servers in the Clash configuration, like using nameserver 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1 with fallback https://1.1.1.1/dns-query?

Answer:

Yes, switching to Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) is a very good and popular choice in Clash configurations — especially when you want fast, privacy-focused, and leak-resistant DNS resolution. Your proposed snippet is already quite solid, but let’s improve and explain it properly for best results in 2026.

Recommended Cloudflare DNS setup for Clash (2026 best practice)

Replace or add the dns: section in your config like this:

dns:
  enable: true
  ipv6: false                     # disable unless your proxy node supports IPv6 well
  listen: 0.0.0.0:53              # optional: let Clash act as local DNS server (useful with TUN)
  enhanced-mode: fake-ip          # or redir-host — fake-ip is usually better for privacy & speed
  fake-ip-range: 198.18.0.1/16    # standard fake-ip CIDR
  use-hosts: true                 # respect /etc/hosts if needed

  nameserver:                     # primary resolvers (fast DoH/DoT preferred)
    - https://1.1.1.1/dns-query   # Cloudflare DoH (encrypted, recommended)
    - https://1.0.0.1/dns-query   # Cloudflare secondary DoH
    # - tls://1.1.1.1               # DoT alternative (if you prefer)

  fallback:                       # fallback when primary fails or for polluted results
    - https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query   # same as 1.1.1.1 but different domain
    - https://1.1.1.1/dns-query              # you can keep this
    - tls://1.0.0.1                          # optional DoT fallback

  fallback-filter:
    geoip: true                   # only use fallback for non-CN IPs (prevents leakage)
    ipcidr:
      - 240.0.0.0/4               # discard bogus private/reserved ranges
    domain:
      - +.google.com
      - +.facebook.com
      - +.twitter.com
      # add more domains that are often polluted in your region

Why this is better than plain 8.8.8.8 + 1.1.1.1

Setting	Your Proposal	Recommended (above)	Why better?
`nameserver`	8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1 (plain DNS)	DoH: https://1.1.1.1/dns-query	Encrypted → prevents ISP/government from seeing or tampering with DNS queries
`fallback`	https://1.1.1.1/dns-query	Multiple DoH + DoT	Redundancy + avoids single-point failure or temporary blocks
`enhanced-mode`	not set	fake-ip	Hides real destination IPs from apps, reduces DNS pollution/leak risk
`fallback-filter`	not set	geoip + domain rules	Smart fallback: only use foreign DNS for foreign sites, direct for local/CN

Quick comparison: Cloudflare vs Google DNS in Clash

Cloudflare (1.1.1.1): Faster in many Asia-Pacific regions, strong privacy focus, supports encrypted DoH/DoT, family-safe variants (1.1.1.2/1.1.1.3) if needed.
Google (8.8.8.8): Very reliable, huge cache, but Google logs more metadata (even if anonymized), sometimes slower in China-adjacent regions.
Best combo in 2026: Use Cloudflare DoH as primary, keep Google as backup if you want.

Minimal change (if you want to keep it simple)

If you just want to swap quickly without fake-ip or advanced filtering:

dns:
  enable: true
  ipv6: false
  nameserver:
    - https://1.1.1.1/dns-query
    - https://1.0.0.1/dns-query
  fallback:
    - https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query

Final tips

After changing DNS settings → restart Clash completely.
Test for leaks: Visit https://ipleak.net or https://dnsleaktest.com in browser (should show only 1.1.1.1 or your proxy IP).
If using TUN mode, make sure dns-hijack: [any:53] is also enabled — it forces all system DNS through Clash.
If you see slow resolution or failures → try removing 8.8.8.8 entirely and stick to DoH only.

This setup gives you fast, encrypted, and leak-resistant DNS — much better than plain UDP DNS servers in most proxy/VPN scenarios.

References:

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