Look up DNS records for any domain in real time. Our free DNS lookup returns A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT, and CNAME records — essential for debugging email, verifying nameserver changes, confirming DNS propagation worldwide, and auditing how a domain is wired up.
Our DNS lookup tools operate through a globally distributed network of probes, ensuring accurate data collection with a particular emphasis on comprehensive coverage across the United States for localized performance insights.
The query starts at the root, which points to the registry for the domain's top-level domain, which points to the authoritative nameservers listed in the domain's delegation. We ask those authoritative servers directly rather than reading a local cache, so what you see is the record as published, not as remembered by an intermediate resolver.
A and AAAA records are the hosting layer: the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses that serve the site. NS records show who controls DNS, which is often a different company from the registrar and is the first thing to verify after a migration. MX records route email, and their absence explains bounced mail more often than any mail server setting. TXT records hold SPF, DKIM and DMARC policy plus verification strings from Google, Microsoft and others.
| Record type | What it stores | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| A | IPv4 address | Maps domain to a server |
| AAAA | IPv6 address | Modern IPv6 routing |
| MX | Mail server hostname + priority | Email delivery routing |
| NS | Nameserver hostname | Delegation to DNS provider |
| TXT | Arbitrary text | SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification |
| CNAME | Alias to another hostname | Subdomain pointing to a CDN |
| SOA | Zone authority data | Primary nameserver & refresh |
| PTR | Reverse DNS | IP-to-hostname mapping |
Before and after migrating a website to a new host, use the DNS lookup to verify that the A records are pointing to the new server's IP address. This prevents downtime and ensures visitors are directed to the correct site version post-migration.
If you're experiencing issues with sending or receiving emails, perform an MX record check and SPF checker to ensure your email infrastructure is correctly configured and authenticated, preventing emails from being marked as spam.
When setting up subdomains for services like a blog (blog.example.com) or an internal tool, use a CNAME lookup to confirm they are correctly aliased to the main domain or a third-party service provider.
Regularly use the TXT record lookup, including DKIM record and DMARC lookup, to audit and ensure your email authentication mechanisms are properly implemented, protecting your domain from spoofing and phishing attempts.
A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT, and CNAME records for the queried domain — typically in under a second.
Yes — free, unlimited queries, no signup.
Yes — MX records are part of the standard output along with priority and target mail server.
DNS lookup reads live records served by nameservers. WHOIS reads registration records held by the registrar. Run our WHOIS lookup for ownership data.
A DNS lookup is the process of finding information, like an IP address, associated with a domain name within the Domain Name System. It's crucial because it enables web browsers and other internet services to locate and connect to websites and servers using human-readable domain names instead of numerical IP addresses, making the internet user-friendly.
An MX record check is vital because MX (Mail Exchange) records specify which mail servers are responsible for accepting incoming email for your domain. Incorrect MX records will prevent you from receiving emails, making them essential for proper email functionality and deliverability.
A nameserver lookup identifies the authoritative DNS servers responsible for your domain. These NS records are critical because they delegate control over your domain's DNS records. You need it to know where to make DNS changes, especially when switching hosting providers or troubleshooting domain delegation issues.
A TXT record lookup is highly versatile and used for various purposes, including domain verification for services like Google Workspace and for critical email authentication records like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These records store human-readable text information for external systems to read and verify.
Use this free DNS lookup tool whenever a domain resolves to the wrong server, email stops arriving, or a verification record needs confirming. Check the A and AAAA records for hosting, MX for mail, NS for delegation and TXT for policy — then pair it with the WHOIS lookup and reverse IP lookup for the complete infrastructure picture.