DNS Record Lookup
Check DNS records for any domain name.
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What is a DNS Lookup?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet. When you type a domain like "google.com" into your browser, your computer uses DNS to look up the corresponding IP address (e.g., 172.217.10.142) to connect to the server. Our DNS Lookup tool allows you to query the DNS records for any domain name.
This is useful for troubleshooting website issues, verifying DNS configuration changes, and seeing the infrastructure behind a domain. You can check common record types like A (IP address), MX (mail servers), CNAME (aliases), TXT (text records for verification), and more.
Common DNS Record Types Explained
A Record (Address)
The most basic type of DNS record. It points a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address (e.g., 192.0.2.1). This is what your browser uses to find the server hosting a website.
CNAME Record (Canonical Name)
Points one domain or subdomain to another domain name. For example, `www.example.com` might have a CNAME record pointing to `example.com`. This allows you to update one A record (`example.com`) and have all aliases follow suit.
MX Record (Mail Exchange)
Directs email to a mail server. These records are critical for your email to function correctly, pointing to services like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
TXT Record (Text)
Allows an administrator to store text notes in the DNS record. It's commonly used for verifying domain ownership for services like Google Search Console, or for email security protocols like SPF and DKIM.
Practical Use Cases for DNS Lookup
While it seems technical, checking DNS records has many practical applications for website owners, developers, and marketers:
- Troubleshooting Email Delivery: If your emails aren't being delivered, checking your MX and TXT (for SPF/DKIM) records is the first step to diagnose the problem.
- Verifying Website Migration: After moving to a new web host and changing your A records, you can use this tool to confirm that the changes have propagated correctly across the internet.
- Competitor Analysis: You can inspect a competitor's DNS records to see which email provider they use (via MX records) or if they use services like Cloudflare (via NS records).
- Security Audits: Checking for unexpected or unauthorized records can be an early sign of a security issue or domain hijacking attempt.