Global DNS Checker
Instantly perform a DNS lookup to check DNS records for any domain.
Looking up DNS records...
Understanding DNS Records
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet. When you type a domain name like google.com, your browser uses DNS to find the correct IP address to connect to. This process involves looking up various types of records. Here’s a brief explanation of the most common ones:
- A Record (Address Record)
- Points a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address (e.g., 172.217.16.142).
- AAAA Record (IPv6 Address Record)
- Points a domain or subdomain to an IPv6 address, the newer internet protocol address.
- CNAME Record (Canonical Name)
- Forwards one domain or subdomain to another domain. It does NOT point to an IP address.
- MX Record (Mail Exchange)
- Directs email to a specific mail server. It includes a priority value to indicate which server to try first.
- NS Record (Name Server)
- Specifies the authoritative name servers for the domain, which hold all other DNS records.
- TXT Record (Text Record)
- Allows you to store arbitrary text. It's often used for email security (SPF, DKIM) and domain verification.
- SOA Record (Start of Authority)
- Provides authoritative information about the domain, such as the primary name server, admin's email, and timing information.
- CAA Record (Certification Authority Authorization)
- Specifies which Certificate Authorities (CAs) are allowed to issue SSL certificates for a domain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is DNS propagation?
DNS propagation is the time it takes for DNS changes to be updated across all servers on the internet. When you update your domain's DNS records, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours for the changes to take effect everywhere.
Why can't I see my updated DNS records?
This is usually due to DNS caching. Your local computer, your router, and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) all cache DNS records to speed up browsing. You might be seeing a cached, older version. You can try clearing your local DNS cache or simply wait for the propagation to complete.
What does TTL mean in DNS?
TTL stands for "Time To Live". It's a value in seconds that tells DNS resolvers how long they should cache a DNS record before requesting a fresh copy from the authoritative name server. A lower TTL means changes propagate faster, but it also increases the load on the name server.