DNS Lookup Tool

Use our DNS lookup tool to check domain name records and verify DNS configuration. View all DNS records for any domain including A, AAAA, MX, TXT, NS, SOA, and CNAME records.

Record Type Options

About DNS Lookup

What does this tool do?

Our DNS lookup tool queries the Domain Name System to retrieve and display all DNS records associated with a domain name. It provides comprehensive information about how a domain is configured, including website hosting, email routing, and security settings.

Why is DNS lookup important?

DNS is the foundation of how the internet works, translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand. DNS lookup is essential for troubleshooting connectivity issues, verifying configurations, and ensuring proper domain management.

Who uses this tool?

  • Web developers and administrators - Verify domain configurations and troubleshoot website issues
  • Email administrators - Diagnose email delivery problems and configure mail servers
  • IT professionals - Investigate network connectivity and domain resolution issues
  • Domain managers - Monitor DNS settings and plan domain migrations
  • Security professionals - Verify email authentication records and security configurations

How to use this tool

  1. Enter a domain name in the search field (without http:// or www)
  2. Choose record type (optional) - select "All Records" for comprehensive results or a specific type
  3. Click "Lookup DNS" to perform the query
  4. Review the results organized by record type
  5. Copy the share link to save or share your findings

Example

Try looking up google.com to see how a major website configures its DNS records, or github.com to see a typical web service setup with multiple A records and comprehensive TXT records.

Understanding DNS record types

A Records
Map domain names to IPv4 addresses (like 192.168.1.1). These are the most common records that tell browsers where to find your website.
AAAA Records
Map domain names to IPv6 addresses (like 2001:db8::1). The IPv6 equivalent of A records for modern internet infrastructure.
MX Records
Mail Exchange records specify which servers handle email for the domain. They include priority numbers to determine backup mail servers.
TXT Records
Store text-based information for various purposes including domain verification, SPF (email authentication), DKIM keys, and DMARC policies.
NS Records
Name Server records identify which DNS servers are authoritative for the domain. These control all other DNS records.
SOA Records
Start of Authority records contain administrative information about the DNS zone, including refresh intervals and responsible parties.
CNAME Records
Canonical Name records create aliases, pointing one domain name to another. Commonly used for subdomains like www.

Important notes about DNS

  • Propagation delays: DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate globally
  • Caching effects: Your local DNS cache may show outdated information
  • Multiple records: Domains often have multiple A or MX records for redundancy
  • TTL values: Time To Live determines how long records are cached

Common use cases

Website troubleshooting

When a website is unreachable, check A and AAAA records to verify the domain points to the correct server IP addresses. Compare with your hosting provider's information.

Email delivery issues

Examine MX records to ensure they point to the correct mail servers. Check TXT records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configurations that affect email deliverability.

Domain migration planning

Before changing hosting providers, document all existing DNS records to ensure nothing is missed during the transition. This prevents service interruptions.

Security verification

Verify that security-related TXT records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are properly configured to prevent email spoofing and improve domain reputation.

Related tools

Technical details

DNS Resolution Process

When you request a domain, your computer follows this process:

  1. Check local DNS cache
  2. Query configured DNS servers (usually your ISP's)
  3. Query root name servers if needed
  4. Query authoritative name servers for the domain
  5. Return the IP address to your browser

Understanding TTL (Time To Live)

TTL values determine how long DNS records are cached:

  • Low TTL (300-3600 seconds): Changes propagate quickly but increase DNS query load
  • High TTL (86400+ seconds): Reduces DNS queries but slows change propagation
  • Best practice: Lower TTL before making changes, raise it afterward

Common DNS Issues and Solutions

❌ No records found

  • Domain may not be properly configured
  • Name servers might not be responding
  • Domain could be expired or suspended

⚠️ Inconsistent records

  • DNS propagation may still be in progress
  • Different name servers may have different data
  • Recent changes might not be fully propagated

✅ Healthy DNS configuration

  • All record types present and consistent
  • Reasonable TTL values
  • Redundant MX and NS records for reliability

Email Authentication Records

Modern email security relies on several TXT record types:

SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
Specifies which servers are allowed to send email for your domain
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
Provides cryptographic signatures to verify email authenticity
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)
Defines policies for handling emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks
DNS Security Note: DNS queries are typically unencrypted. For sensitive operations, consider using DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT) for additional privacy and security.