DNS Lookup Tool

Get comprehensive DNS information for any domain. Check A, AAAA, MX, NS, CNAME, TXT, and SOA records instantly with our professional DNS lookup utility.

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Enter a domain name (e.g., google.com, github.com)

DNS Records We Check

A

IPv4 Address

AAAA

IPv6 Address

MX

Mail Servers

NS

Name Servers

CNAME

Aliases

TXT

Text Records

SOA

Authority

WHOIS

Domain Info

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What is DNS Lookup and Why Do You Need It?

DNS lookup is the process of querying the Domain Name System to retrieve information about a specific domain name. Our advanced DNS lookup tool provides instant access to all DNS records including A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, NS, SOA, and more across multiple global DNS servers including Google, Cloudflare, Quad9, and authoritative nameservers.

Whether you're troubleshooting connectivity issues, verifying domain configurations, or monitoring DNS propagation, our tool delivers accurate results in seconds. No command-line expertise required—just enter a domain and get comprehensive DNS information instantly.

How Does DNS Resolution Work?

When you enter a domain name in your browser, a complex process happens behind the scenes to translate that human-readable name into an IP address that computers can understand. This process involves multiple steps and servers working together.

1

Initial Request

Your browser sends a DNS query to a recursive DNS resolver (usually your ISP's server)

2

Root Server Query

If not cached, the resolver queries one of 13 root nameservers worldwide

3

TLD Server Lookup

The root server directs to the appropriate top-level domain (TLD) server (.com, .org, etc.)

4

Authoritative Answer

The TLD server points to the domain's authoritative nameserver which provides the final answer

Understanding DNS Record Types

A Address Records

Maps domain names to IPv4 addresses (32-bit). Most fundamental DNS record type.

Example: example.com → 93.184.216.34

AAAA IPv6 Address Records

Maps domain names to IPv6 addresses (128-bit). Essential for modern internet infrastructure.

Example: example.com → 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946

MX Mail Exchange Records

Specifies mail servers responsible for accepting email for the domain.

Example: Priority 10: mail.example.com

CNAME Canonical Name Records

Creates aliases that point to other domain names. Useful for subdomains and CDNs.

Example: www.example.com → example.com

TXT Text Records

Contains arbitrary text data, often used for email security (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and domain verification.

Example: "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"

NS Name Server Records

Indicates which servers have authority over DNS records for the domain.

Example: ns1.example.com, ns2.example.com

When to Use DNS Lookup Tools

System Administrators & DevOps

  • Troubleshooting website connectivity and performance issues
  • Verifying DNS propagation after configuration changes
  • Monitoring domain security and email authentication settings
  • Auditing DNS configurations for compliance and security

Web Developers & Designers

  • Setting up custom domains for web applications and APIs
  • Configuring CDN and load balancer DNS records
  • Validating SSL certificate DNS verification records
  • Testing subdomain configurations and redirects

Business Owners & Marketers

  • Verifying email deliverability and spam protection settings
  • Monitoring competitor domain configurations and hosting
  • Planning domain migrations and hosting changes
  • Ensuring website uptime and performance optimization

Global DNS Servers for Accurate Results

Public DNS Providers

  • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 - World's most popular public DNS
  • Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1 - Privacy-focused with fast response times
  • Quad9: 9.9.9.9 - Security-focused DNS with threat blocking
  • OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 - Enterprise-grade DNS solutions

Specialized Lookups

  • Authoritative NS: Direct queries to domain's official nameservers
  • Regional Servers: Test DNS resolution from different geographic locations
  • DNSSEC Validation: Verify cryptographic DNS signatures for security
  • Cache Bypass: Get real-time DNS data without cached responses

Common DNS Problems Our Tool Helps Diagnose

Configuration Issues

  • • Missing or incorrect A/AAAA records causing website downtime
  • • Misconfigured MX records preventing email delivery
  • • Wrong CNAME settings breaking subdomain functionality
  • • Invalid TXT records failing domain verification

Propagation & Performance

  • • Slow DNS propagation after recent changes
  • • Inconsistent records across different DNS servers
  • • TTL values causing caching issues
  • • Nameserver conflicts and authority problems

DNS Lookup Frequently Asked Questions

How long does DNS propagation take?

DNS propagation typically takes 24-48 hours globally, but changes can be visible within minutes on some servers. Our tool helps you monitor this process across multiple DNS providers.

Can I check DNS records for subdomains?

Yes! Simply enter the full subdomain (like blog.example.com or api.example.com) to check its specific DNS configuration and records.

What's the difference between authoritative and recursive DNS queries?

Authoritative servers provide official answers for domains they manage, while recursive servers cache responses. Our tool queries both to give you comprehensive DNS information.

Is DNS lookup information private and secure?

DNS queries are inherently public information. Our tool doesn't store your search history, and all queries are processed securely without logging personal data.

Why do I see different results from different DNS servers?

DNS servers may have different cached information or update frequencies. Comparing results across servers helps identify propagation issues and ensures global accessibility.

DNS Best Practices for 2025

Security & Performance

  • • Enable DNSSEC for cryptographic DNS validation
  • • Use multiple authoritative nameservers for redundancy
  • • Implement proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records
  • • Optimize TTL values for performance vs. flexibility

Monitoring & Maintenance

  • • Regular DNS health checks across global servers
  • • Monitor certificate expiration through CAA records
  • • Track DNS response times and availability
  • • Document all DNS changes for audit trails

Command Line DNS Lookup Alternatives

While our web-based tool offers convenience and visual results, you can also perform DNS lookups using command-line tools:

Windows (nslookup)

nslookup example.com
nslookup -type=MX example.com

Linux/macOS (dig)

dig example.com
dig MX example.com

Our web tool provides the same functionality with additional features like multi-server comparison and visual formatting.