Look Up DNS Records and Understand What Each Record Type Means
When a website stops loading, email bounces, or a new domain refuses to point at your server, the problem is almost always hiding in the Domain Name System. DNS translates human-readable names like example.com into the IP addresses that computers actually use to route traffic. This tool performs a live DNS lookup and explains every record it finds, so you can see exactly what your domain advertises to the world and why it might be misbehaving. Whether you are a developer debugging a migration, a sysadmin verifying a cutover, or a site owner checking a change, this lookup gives you the raw records in a readable form.
How to Run a DNS Lookup
- Enter the domain you want to inspect, such as
example.com, in the domain field. Do not includehttp://or a trailing slash. - Pick the record type you care about:
A,AAAA,CNAME,MX,TXT,NS, orANY. - Optionally choose a public resolver such as
1.1.1.1or8.8.8.8to bypass your local cache. - Click the lookup button and wait a moment for the response to come back.
- Read the results table, which pairs each record with a plain-English explanation of what it controls.
Real Example: Checking Mail Delivery
A support ticket says mail sent to a new domain bounces with a relay error. Running an MX lookup for example.com returns 10 mail.example.com, which is exactly the record the sending server needs to find the mail host.
| Input | Output |
|---|---|
example.com type MX | 10 mail.example.com (mail handled by mail.example.com) |
example.com type A | 93.184.216.34 (IPv4 address) |
Tips for Reliable Lookups
- Clear the cache — local and ISP caches can hide a fresh change; query a public resolver directly.
- Mind the TTL — a record with a high TTL propagates slowly, so give changes up to 48 hours before assuming failure.
- Check the trailing dot — fully qualified names end in a dot internally; a missing one usually means a relative name was entered.
- Verify both directions — after changing an
Arecord, also checkAAAAif the host supports IPv6.
When to Use This Tool
- Domain migration — confirm the new host IP is live before switching nameservers.
- Email troubleshooting — validate
MXandTXTSPF records when mail is rejected. - SSL certificate setup — verify that the domain points at the server before issuing a certificate.
- Subdomain audits — list all
CNAMEandArecords to document your DNS estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an A and an AAAA record?
An A record maps a name to an IPv4 address, while an AAAA record maps it to an IPv6 address. Both can exist for the same domain, and clients choose whichever protocol their network supports.
Why does my new record not show up right away?
DNS changes propagate only as fast as the TTL on the old record allows. Until caches expire, resolvers keep serving the previous value, which can take minutes or up to 48 hours for slow-propagating zones.
What does an MX record priority number mean?
The priority tells sending servers which mail host to try first. Lower numbers win, so 10 mail.example.com is preferred over 20 backup.example.com, which is used only when the first host is unreachable.
Why does my domain have a CNAME pointing at another domain?
A CNAME aliases one name to another, commonly used to point www.example.com at example.com or at a CDN hostname. It means the alias inherits the target's address records.
What can I learn from a TXT record?
TXT records carry free-form text used for verification, such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC email authentication, or domain ownership checks by services like Google and Microsoft.
Does this tool perform the lookup from my computer?
It queries public DNS resolvers from the server, not from your local machine, so the results reflect the global view rather than your ISP's cache.
Why do I see multiple A records for one domain?
Multiple A records enable round-robin load balancing and failover. Clients pick one of the returned addresses, spreading traffic across several servers.
What is an NS record used for?
An NS record declares which nameservers are authoritative for a zone. It tells resolvers where to ask for the definitive answer about your domain's records.