What is a DNS record?

A DNS record is an entry in the Domain Name System that maps a domain name to information such as an IP address, mail server, or other data. Common types include A, AAAA, MX, TXT, CNAME, NS, and SOA.

How do I check DNS records for my domain?

You can use the Dig Trace DNS Checker to instantly query and analyze DNS records for any domain. Enter your domain, select record types, and view results.

Why are there different DNS record types?

Each DNS record type serves a specific purpose. For example, A records map to IPv4 addresses, MX records specify mail servers, and TXT records hold arbitrary text for verification or security.

What does TTL mean in DNS records?

TTL (Time To Live) is the amount of time a DNS record is cached by servers and clients before being refreshed. Lower TTL values mean changes propagate faster, but can increase DNS query traffic.

How can I troubleshoot DNS issues?

Check for correct record values, ensure nameservers are set up properly, and verify there are no typos. Use the DNS Checker to compare results from different record types and servers.

Can DNS records affect my website's availability?

Yes, incorrect or missing DNS records can cause your website or email to become unreachable. Always verify your DNS configuration after making changes.

What is the difference between an A record and a CNAME record?

An A record maps a domain name directly to an IPv4 address (e.g., example.com -> 192.0.2.1). A CNAME (Canonical Name) record, on the other hand, maps a domain or subdomain to another domain name instead of an IP address (e.g., www.example.com -> example.com). CNAMEs are essentially aliases and are useful for pointing multiple services to a single source.

Why is my MX record not found or not working?

If you're having trouble receiving email, it's often due to an MX record issue. The most common reasons are: 1) The MX records are not set up at your DNS provider, 2) There is a typo in the mail server's hostname, or 3) The record's TTL (Time To Live) is still propagating after a recent change. You can use this tool to instantly check your domain's MX records.

How long does DNS propagation take?

DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours, though it's typically much faster. The speed depends on the TTL (Time To Live) value set for your DNS records. A lower TTL (like 300 seconds / 5 minutes) means servers will check for updates more frequently, leading to faster propagation. Our DNS Propagation Checker tool can show you in real-time how your changes are spreading across the globe.

What is a DNS resolution error?

A 'DNS resolution error' (often seen as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN) means that a DNS server was unable to find the IP address for the domain you requested. This can happen if the domain name doesn't exist, has expired, or its DNS records are misconfigured. Our DNS checker can help you troubleshoot by verifying if the essential A or CNAME records for your domain are correctly set up.

How can I find my domain's name servers (NS)?

You can find your domain's name servers by selecting the 'NS' record type in the tool above and entering your domain name. The NS records will show you the authoritative servers responsible for your domain's DNS settings. This is useful for confirming that your domain is pointing to the correct DNS provider (e.g., Cloudflare, GoDaddy, etc.).

Advanced DNS Lookup

Instantly troubleshoot DNS resolution errors with our free DNS lookup tool. Use it to check A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, NS, and all other record types to verify your domain's configuration, solve email issues, and monitor the status of your DNS propagation.

Query DNS Records

Enter a domain and select record types to begin.

Domain Name

Select Record Types

Troubleshoot DNS Resolution Errors

DNS problems can cause website downtime and email delivery failures. Our DNS Checker helps you diagnose these issues quickly. Use this tool to verify your records when you're facing a DNS resolution error or need to check domain propagation status after making changes.

Website Not Loading?

Use the A and AAAA record lookups to ensure your domain points to the correct IP address of your web server.

Email Not Receiving?

If you have an issue where email is not being received, check your MX records to see if they are pointing to the correct mail servers.

Subdomain Issues?

A CNAME lookup can confirm if a subdomain (e.g., www, mail) is pointing to the correct target service or domain.

Understanding DNS Records

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet's phonebook. It translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1). Our DNS Checker helps you explore these records.

Ensure Security

Verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to protect against email spoofing and enhance domain security.

Diagnose Email Issues

Check MX records to ensure emails are correctly routed to your mail servers.

Verify Configuration

Confirm that A, AAAA, CNAME, and NS records are correctly pointing to your servers and services.

Optimize Performance

Analyze TTL values and ensure your DNS setup is optimized for speed and reliability worldwide.

Enhance Email Security

Use the TXT record check to verify your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings are correct to prevent email spoofing and improve deliverability.

Confirm Your Name Servers

An NS record lookup will show the authoritative name servers for your domain. This is essential for verifying that your DNS provider is correctly set up.

Common DNS Record Types

Trust, Quality & Data Transparency

Expertise & Experience

We diagnose DNS resolution issues, TTL strategy, record hygiene (A / AAAA / CNAME / MX / NS / TXT / SOA) and DNSSEC edge cases drawn from real incident & migration work. We designed the DNS Checker features around realistic operational workflows.

Data Sources

Live authoritative queries plus comparative lookups against root & TLD referrals and major public resolvers (Google 8.8.8.8, Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, Quad9, OpenDNS) to surface propagation or inconsistent answers.

Update Cadence & Quality

Core resolution logic & provider list reviewed weekly; parser / UI refinements ship continuously; urgent resolver or DNSSEC handling patches deploy immediately. The rating component reflects genuine user feedback (one rating per browser client ID) and is filtered for abuse.

Privacy & Ethics

We do not persist entire zone data - only transient query metrics (latency / error class) for aggregate quality monitoring. No full query logs are sold or shared. See our Privacy Policy for details. No personal account is required.

Accountability

Questions or accuracy concerns? Reach out via the Contact page or learn more About Us. We iterate quickly based on feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Continue Your Investigation

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