DNS Lookup - Query DNS Records Online
How to Use the DNS Lookup Tool
Enter a domain name (like example.com) and click Lookup. The tool queries Google Public DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and returns all available DNS records in a clean table format. Results include A, AAAA, MX, NS, and TXT records with their values and TTL (Time to Live) in seconds.
Understanding DNS Records
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet’s directory service, translating human-readable domain names into the IP addresses, mail server addresses, and configuration data that computers need to communicate. Every website, email system, and online service depends on DNS records being configured correctly.
DNS Record Types Explained
| Record Type | Purpose | Example Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | Maps domain to IPv4 address | 93.184.216.34 |
| AAAA | Maps domain to IPv6 address | 2606:2800:220:1:248:… |
| MX | Specifies email server | 10 mail.example.com |
| NS | Authoritative nameserver | ns1.example.com |
| TXT | Text data (SPF, DKIM, verification) | “v=spf1 include:…” |
| CNAME | Alias to another domain | www.example.com -> example.com |
A and AAAA Records
A records are the most fundamental DNS record type, mapping a domain name to an IPv4 address. When you type a domain in your browser, the first thing that happens is an A record lookup to find the server’s IP address. AAAA records serve the same purpose for IPv6 addresses, which are increasingly important as IPv4 addresses become scarce.
MX Records for Email
MX (Mail Exchange) records tell the internet where to deliver email for your domain. Each MX record includes a priority number, with lower numbers indicating higher priority. Email systems try the highest-priority server first and fall back to lower-priority servers if it is unavailable. Misconfigured MX records are the most common cause of missing emails.
TXT Records for Authentication and Verification
TXT records have become one of the most important record types for email security and domain verification. SPF records (published as TXT) specify which mail servers are authorized to send email from your domain. DKIM records contain public keys for verifying email signatures. DMARC records define policies for handling emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks.
Common DNS Troubleshooting
Email Delivery Issues
If emails from your domain are being rejected or marked as spam, check your MX records to ensure they point to the correct mail servers. Also verify that your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC TXT records are properly configured. Missing or incorrect email authentication records are the leading cause of deliverability problems.
Website Not Loading
If your website is unreachable, check whether the A record resolves to the correct IP address. A missing or incorrect A record means browsers cannot find your server. Also verify that your nameserver (NS) records point to your DNS provider.
After DNS Changes
After updating DNS records, use this tool to verify the changes are visible from Google’s perspective. Remember that DNS caching means your local resolver may still show old values. The TTL value on each record indicates how long resolvers cache it before requesting a fresh copy.
DNS over HTTPS (DoH)
This tool uses DNS over HTTPS to query Google Public DNS, which encrypts the DNS query and provides accurate, uncensored results. Unlike traditional DNS queries that can be intercepted or modified by network providers, DoH ensures you see the actual DNS records as published.
For checking whether a domain’s SSL certificate is valid, use the SSL Certificate Checker. To inspect the HTTP response headers that a domain’s web server returns, use the HTTP Header Inspector.
Related Tools
- SSL Certificate Checker - Verify HTTPS certificate validity for domains
- HTTP Header Inspector - Check security headers on any URL
- Hash Generator - Generate hashes for DKIM and other DNS verification
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of DNS records?
A records map domains to IPv4 addresses. AAAA records map to IPv6 addresses. MX records specify email servers. NS records define authoritative nameservers. TXT records store text data like SPF email policies, domain verification codes, and DKIM signatures.
How long does it take for DNS changes to propagate?
DNS propagation typically takes 15 minutes to 48 hours depending on the TTL (Time to Live) value set on the records. Most changes propagate within a few hours. This tool queries Google Public DNS, which updates relatively quickly.
Why do my DNS records look different from different locations?
DNS is a distributed system with caching at multiple levels. Different DNS resolvers may have cached older versions of your records. After making changes, the old cached records expire based on their TTL value. This is why propagation takes time.
What is a TXT record used for?
TXT records store arbitrary text data and are commonly used for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), domain ownership verification (Google Search Console, SSL certificates), and service-specific configuration. A single domain can have multiple TXT records.