DNS (Domain Name System) is the internet's phone book, translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses computers understand. Our DNS lookup tool queries DNS servers to display all records associated with any domain.
Understanding DNS Record Types
Different DNS records serve different purposes:
- A Record - Maps domain to IPv4 address (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
- AAAA Record - Maps domain to IPv6 address
- CNAME - Creates an alias pointing to another domain
- MX Record - Specifies mail servers for email delivery
- TXT Record - Holds text data for verification, SPF, DKIM
- NS Record - Lists authoritative nameservers
Why Check DNS Records?
DNS lookups help troubleshoot email delivery issues, verify domain configuration, check if DNS changes have propagated, identify hosting providers, and debug website connectivity problems.
DNS Propagation
When you change DNS records, the update doesn't happen instantly. DNS servers worldwide cache records based on TTL (Time To Live) values. Full propagation can take 24-48 hours, though most changes reflect within a few hours.
Common DNS Issues
Missing or incorrect A records cause websites to be unreachable. Wrong MX records break email. Missing SPF/DKIM TXT records cause emails to land in spam. Our tool helps you verify these are correctly configured.
Security Considerations
DNS records can reveal hosting infrastructure. DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to prevent DNS spoofing. Check TXT records to verify SPF and DMARC are properly configured for email security.