DNS Lookup

Look up any domain's records as public resolvers see them. Choose a record type or check them all at once.

  • Free
  • No Sign-Up
  • Live Lookup

Examples:

How to Use

How to use the DNS Lookup

  1. 01

    Enter a domain

    A bare domain or a subdomain. Pasting a full URL works too; only the host name is used.

  2. 02

    Choose a type

    All shows every common type at once. Pick one type for SRV records or a quick single answer.

  3. 03

    Look up

    Records come back with their TTL, the number of seconds resolvers may cache them.

DNS

About the DNS Lookup

What each record type does

A domain's DNS is a set of records, each answering one question. These are the ones you will meet most often:

TypeWhat it holds
AThe IPv4 address the name points to
AAAAThe IPv6 address the name points to
CNAMEAnother name this one is an alias of
MXThe mail servers that accept email for the domain, in priority order
NSThe name servers that hold the domain's records
TXTFree text: SPF, domain verification codes, DMARC (on _dmarc)
SOAThe zone's primary server, contact and serial number
CAAWhich certificate authorities may issue certificates for the domain
SRVHost and port for a service, such as _sip._tcp or _minecraft._tcp

Why a change has not shown up yet

Resolvers cache each answer for its TTL. If a record had a TTL of 3600, some visitors can see the old answer for up to an hour after you change it. Lower the TTL a day before a planned move, then raise it again afterwards.

If the NS records here are not the ones you expect, the change was made at a DNS provider the domain does not use. Update the name servers at your registrar first.

What it can't tell you

  • Answers come from one recursive resolver, so you see what it has cached; a record changed a minute ago may still show its old value.
  • Split-horizon DNS (internal-only records) cannot be seen from the internet.

Frequently asked questions

How long does DNS propagation take?
There is no propagation as such; resolvers keep cached answers until the TTL runs out. Most changes are visible within the old record's TTL, typically 5 minutes to an hour. Name server changes at the registry can take up to 48 hours.
Can a CNAME sit at the root of a domain?
No. A CNAME cannot share a name with other records, and the root always has SOA and NS. Many DNS providers offer ALIAS or CNAME flattening to get the same effect.
Why does my domain have two MX records?
For redundancy. Mail servers try the lowest priority number first and fall back to the others. Equal numbers share the load.
What TTL should I use?
300 seconds (5 minutes) for records you may change soon; 3600 or more for stable ones. Very low TTLs add lookups and latency for visitors.

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