What are DNS records?

DNS (Domain Name System) records are instructions stored in authoritative DNS servers that provide information about a domain, including its associated IP address, how to handle email for the domain, and other configurations. Common types include A, MX, and TXT records.

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DNS Record Lookup

Look up common DNS record types for any domain.

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Understanding Common DNS Records

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet, translating human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. This is managed through various types of DNS records:

A Record: Maps a domain to the IPv4 address of the server hosting it.
MX Record: Directs email to a domain's mail servers.
TXT Record: Used to store text-based information, critical for email security protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
CNAME Record: Forwards one domain or subdomain to another domain.

Using a DNS lookup tool allows you to see these public records, which is essential for troubleshooting, configuration, and security analysis.

DNS Lookup FAQs

Why would I need to perform a DNS lookup?

You would perform a DNS lookup to troubleshoot website or email delivery issues, verify that a recent DNS change has propagated correctly, or to inspect the configuration of a domain for security purposes (e.g., checking for SPF, DMARC, or DKIM records).

What is the difference between an A record and an MX record?

An A record (Address record) maps a domain name directly to an IPv4 address, essentially pointing the domain to the server where its website is hosted. An MX record (Mail Exchanger) specifies the mail server responsible for accepting email messages on behalf of a domain.