Deploy guide

How to deploy Hugo to Vercel

The settings to enter and where to find them: Hugo on Vercel, built on every push.

Checked 16 October 2026

In short

The settings

Framework Preset

Usually picked for you on import.

Build Command
Output Directory
Variable HUGO_VERSION

Vercel's default Hugo is older than most themes expect.

Step by step

Set it up

  1. 1

    Put the project in a Git repository

    Push it to GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket. Vercel builds from the repository, so the build folder (public) doesn't need to be committed.

  2. 2

    Import it in Vercel

    Start a new project from the repository and give Vercel access to it when it asks.

    Add New…→Project→Import a Git repository

  3. 3

    Check the build settings

    Vercel usually recognises Hugo and fills these in. Make sure they read:

    Framework Preset

    Usually picked for you on import.

    Build Command
    Output Directory
    Variable HUGO_VERSION

    Vercel's default Hugo is older than most themes expect.

    Add the variable under Settings → Environment Variables, or in the Environment variables section while importing.

  4. 4

    Deploy

    Start the deploy. When the build finishes, the site is at https://YOUR-PROJECT.vercel.app. Each push to the main branch deploys again, and other branches and pull requests get preview links.

    To change the settings later: Settings → Build and Deployment → Framework Settings.

Good to know

Common snags

  • Hugo's own Vercel guide uses a small build script that downloads Hugo (and Dart Sass, if you use it) instead. Use that if your theme needs Dart Sass.
  • If your theme is a git submodule, it's fetched with the repository: each host here checks out submodules when it builds.
  • Don't commit the public folder: each host builds it fresh.
  • Node.js version: Pick it under Settings → Build and Deployment → Node.js Version, or set "engines" in package.json.

Stuck? The usual problems, solved

Questions

Before you start

Is Vercel free for this?

A free Hobby plan for personal, non-commercial projects. Paid plans for commercial use and teams.

How do I use my own domain?

Add it in Vercel's domain settings, then add the DNS records at your registrar. Our custom domain guides have the exact records for Vercel at each registrar.

The build works on my computer but fails here. Why?

Most often a different Node.js version, or a package that's installed on your computer but missing from package.json. Pick it under Settings → Build and Deployment → Node.js Version, or set "engines" in package.json.

Next step: connect your own domain to Vercel.

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