DNS Lookup
Our DNS Lookup tool enables you to quickly verify A, MX, CNAME, TXT, and other DNS records, ensuring your domain’s configuration is accurate and secure.
About DNS Lookup
Use our DNS Lookup tool to instantly check the DNS records of any domain name.
Enter a domain (like example.com) and quickly retrieve live results from global DNS servers.
Perform a DNS record lookup for A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, NS, TXT, PTR, SOA, SRV, and CAA records, all in one place.
What is a DNS Lookup?
A DNS Lookup (Domain Name System Lookup) is the process of translating a human-friendly domain name, such as www.google.com, into its corresponding IP address (e.g., 142.250.190.4).
This process allows browsers to connect users to websites without needing to remember complex numerical addresses.
Think of DNS as the phonebook of the internet: when you type a website name into your browser, DNS servers find the exact “number” (IP address) for that site so your browser can load it instantly.
How DNS Lookup Works
Here’s how a typical DNS lookup happens in just milliseconds:
- User Request: You enter a website URL (e.g., example.com) in your browser.
- Recursive Resolver: Your computer sends a query to your ISP’s DNS resolver, which checks if the result is already cached.
- Root Nameserver: If not found, the resolver contacts a root server to locate the Top-Level Domain (TLD) nameserver (like .com).
- TLD Nameserver: The TLD server points to the authoritative nameserver for the specific domain.
- Authoritative Nameserver: This server holds the actual DNS records and returns the IP address to the resolver.
- Browser Connection: Your browser uses that IP to load the website.
Every DNS response includes a TTL (Time To Live) value that tells how long the data should be cached before a new lookup is needed.
Types of DNS Records You Can Check
Each DNS record type serves a unique purpose. Our tool supports all major record lookups:
| Record Type | Description |
| A | Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address. |
| AAAA | Maps a domain to an IPv6 address. |
| CNAME | Alias for another domain or subdomain. |
| MX | Specifies mail servers for email delivery. |
| NS | Lists the authoritative nameservers for the domain. |
| PTR | Performs a reverse lookup from IP to hostname. |
| SOA | Contains administrative details and refresh data for the domain. |
| SRV | Defines the location (hostname and port) of specific services. |
| TXT | Stores arbitrary text, often used for SPF, DKIM, and domain verification. |
| CAA | Defines which Certificate Authorities can issue SSL certificates. |
Forward vs Reverse DNS Lookup
- Forward DNS Lookup: Converts a domain name into its IP address.
- Reverse DNS Lookup: Converts an IP address back into the associated domain name using PTR records.
Both are critical for website accessibility, email authentication, and network troubleshooting.
Why DNS Lookup Is Important
Performing DNS lookups helps in:
- Website accessibility: Ensures domains resolve correctly.
- Email delivery: Confirms proper MX and SPF configurations.
- Network troubleshooting: Detects DNS errors and misconfigurations.
- Security monitoring: Identifies spoofing or misconfigured DNS records.
- Load balancing: Distributes traffic evenly across multiple servers.
How to Use Our DNS Lookup Tool
- Enter a valid domain name (e.g., example.com).
- Select the DNS record type (or choose ALL).
- Click Lookup to instantly view live DNS results.
Our tool queries multiple servers like Google DNS, Cloudflare, OpenDNS, Quad9, and the domain’s authoritative nameservers, giving you accurate, real-time data.
Alternative Methods (Command Line)
For advanced users, you can also perform manual DNS lookups using:
Windows:
nslookup example.com
macOS / Linux:
dig example.com
To specify a record type:
nslookup -type=MX example.com
dig -t MX example.com
More Tools
Frequently Asked Questions About DNS Lookup
Q1: How long does DNS propagation take?
Usually, between 24-48 hours after DNS changes. You can check propagation globally using a DNS propagation tool.
Q2: Can I check DNS records for subdomains?
Yes. Simply enter the full subdomain (like blog.example.com) to see its records.
Q3: What’s the difference between DNS lookup and DNS check?
A DNS lookup retrieves record data, while a DNS check validates if DNS configurations are correct and active.
Q4: Why might DNS results differ across servers?
Different DNS servers may cache records for varying TTL durations, leading to temporary differences until caches refresh.