What is a CDN?
Learn what a content delivery network (CDN) is, how it speeds up your website, and why managed WordPress hosts include one.
If a visitor in Tokyo opens your website and your server is in Chicago, their request has to travel a very long way. A CDN (Content Delivery Network) solves this problem by putting copies of your site's files closer to wherever your visitors are.
Quick summary
A CDN is a global network of servers that stores copies of your website's files. When someone visits your site, the CDN delivers those files from the server nearest to them — making the page load faster no matter where they are. All three of our recommended hosts (Flywheel, WP Engine, Kinsta) include a CDN.
How a CDN works
Here's what happens without a CDN:
- A visitor in London opens your website.
- Their browser sends a request to your server in Dallas.
- The server sends back your images, fonts, and code files.
- All of that data travels thousands of miles — adding time to every load.
Here's what happens with a CDN:
- A visitor in London opens your website.
- Their browser requests files from a CDN server in Frankfurt (much closer).
- Those files are already cached there and are delivered instantly.
- Only data that isn't cached needs to travel to the origin server.
The result: significantly faster load times for visitors everywhere in the world.
What a CDN delivers
A CDN typically handles static files — content that doesn't change with every request:
- Images (photos, logos, icons)
- Fonts
- CSS stylesheets (the code that controls how your site looks)
- JavaScript files (the code that makes things interactive)
- Videos and PDFs
Dynamic content (like shopping carts, logged-in user data, or search results) usually still comes from your origin server — though some advanced CDNs can cache more than this.
Why a CDN matters for your business
Speed
Site speed directly affects how long visitors stay and whether they take action. Even a one-second improvement in load time can meaningfully increase conversions. A CDN is one of the most effective ways to achieve this.
Reliability
If your origin server has a temporary issue, a CDN can often continue serving your site from its cache. It also absorbs traffic spikes so your server isn't overwhelmed during busy periods.
Security
Most CDNs include DDoS protection (defense against malicious floods of traffic) and can block suspicious requests before they reach your server.
Global reach
If your customers are anywhere in the world — not just near your server — a CDN ensures they get a fast experience regardless of location.
CDN on our recommended platforms
Flywheel includes a built-in CDN on all plans. It's enabled by default and requires no configuration from you.
WP Engine includes a CDN called Global Edge Security and also integrates with Cloudflare on many plans. It's configured and managed automatically.
Kinsta uses a Cloudflare-powered CDN available across all plans. It's enabled from the MyKinsta dashboard and delivers files from over 200 global locations.
Common questions
Related guides
- What is web hosting?
- What is managed WordPress hosting?
- Hosting & speed
- How a CDN speeds up your site
- What is SSL & HTTPS?
Need a hand?