DNS Lookup

Query DNS records for any domain. Enter a domain name to see its DNS records (A, AAAA, MX, TXT, CNAME, and more).

Want to understand what each record type means? Read DNS Record Types Explained →

DNS Records

DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names like "example.com" into IP addresses. This tool queries DNS servers for all the records associated with a domain - A, AAAA, MX, TXT, CNAME, and more.

Useful for troubleshooting domain issues, verifying DNS changes have propagated, or checking a domain's mail server configuration before sending emails.

Common Record Types

  • A: IPv4 address
  • AAAA: IPv6 address
  • MX: Mail server
  • TXT: Arbitrary text (SPF, verification)
  • CNAME: Alias to another domain

Understanding DNS

The Domain Name System (DNS) is often called the phonebook of the internet. It translates human-readable domain names like "example.com" into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. Without DNS, we would need to memorize numerical IP addresses for every website we visit.

When you type a URL into your browser, a DNS query is sent to resolve the domain name. This query travels through a hierarchy of DNS servers'from your local resolver to root servers, TLD servers, and finally authoritative name servers'to find the correct IP address. This process typically takes milliseconds but is crucial for every internet connection.

Key DNS Record Types

  • A Record:Maps a domain to an IPv4 address
  • AAAA Record:Maps a domain to an IPv6 address
  • MX Record:Specifies mail servers for the domain
  • CNAME Record:Creates an alias pointing to another domain
  • TXT Record:Stores text information (used for SPF, DKIM, verification)
  • NS Record:Delegates a DNS zone to authoritative name servers
  • SOA Record:Contains administrative information about the zone

DNS Propagation and TTL

DNS changes don't take effect instantly worldwide. DNS records have a TTL (Time To Live) value that tells resolvers how long to cache the record. After updating DNS records, it can take anywhere from minutes to 48 hours for changes to propagate globally, depending on TTL settings and resolver caching behavior.

Use our DNS lookup tool to verify your domain configuration, troubleshoot email delivery issues (check MX records), confirm SSL certificate validation records (TXT), or diagnose website connectivity problems. Understanding your DNS setup is essential for maintaining reliable web services and email delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do DNS changes take time to propagate?

DNS records are cached by resolvers worldwide based on their TTL (Time To Live) value. When you change a record, you must wait for cached copies to expire before new values are served. Lower TTL values before making changes can speed up propagation.

What is a DNS resolver?

A DNS resolver is a server that translates domain names into IP addresses. Your ISP provides one by default, but you can use public resolvers like Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), or OpenDNS for potentially faster lookups and additional features.

How do I verify my email domain setup?

Check your MX records to ensure they point to your email provider. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (stored as TXT records) authenticate your email and prevent spoofing. Missing or incorrect records can cause emails to be marked as spam or rejected.