🔍 DNS Lookup Tool

Query DNS records for any domain with detailed analysis

Domain Name

Record Type

Quick examples:

📚 DNS Record Types Explained

A Record

Maps domain to IPv4 address

AAAA Record

Maps domain to IPv6 address

MX Record

Mail server routing

CNAME Record

Domain alias/canonical name

NS Record

Authoritative name servers

TXT Record

Text data (SPF, DKIM, etc.)

SOA Record

Start of Authority info

PTR Record

Reverse DNS lookup

📚 DNS Information & Usage Guide (DNS Records Explained)

Detailed DNS Record Types (A, MX, TXT, CNAME, NS, PTR)

DNS records are the backbone of how domains and websites function on the internet. Each record type serves a specific purpose in DNS resolution, email routing, domain verification, and website performance. Below are the most important record types explained in detail.

A Record (A)

Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address (e.g., 192.0.2.1).

Use Case: Directing website traffic (HTTP/HTTPS) to a hosting server.

AAAA Record (AAAA)

Similar to an A record but for IPv6 addresses (newer IP version).

Use Case: Ensuring websites are accessible on IPv6-enabled networks.

MX Record (MX)

Mail Exchanger – specifies mail servers for handling domain emails.

Use Case: Routing emails (e.g., @domain.com) to the correct provider.

CNAME Record (CNAME)

Canonical Name – creates an alias, mapping one domain to another.

Use Case: Pointing 'www.example.com' to 'example.com'.

NS Record (NS)

Name Server – indicates the authoritative DNS servers for the domain.

Use Case: Delegating DNS management to services like Cloudflare or AWS.

TXT Record (TXT)

Holds text data. Widely used for verification and security policies.

Use Case: Storing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication.

SOA Record (SOA)

Start of Authority – defines key DNS zone settings.

Use Case: Controls how secondary DNS servers update their zone data.

PTR Record (PTR)

Pointer Record – enables reverse DNS lookups (IP → domain).

Use Case: Used by mail servers for anti-spam and security checks.

Other Important DNS Records for Advanced DNS Setup

Besides the common A, MX, and CNAME records, additional DNS types enhance security, scalability, and service discovery.

SRV: Defines the location of servers for specific services (VoIP, XMPP).
NAPTR: Advanced service discovery, often used with VoIP.
DNSSEC: Security extension ensuring authentic DNS responses.
CAA: Restricts which certificate authorities can issue SSL certificates for your domain.

How to Use the DNS Lookup Tool for Domain Analysis

A DNS lookup reveals all DNS records linked to a domain. It’s commonly used for DNS troubleshooting, checking DNS propagation, verifying email setups, and improving SEO performance.

Enter the Domain: Example: google.com
Select Record Type: Choose A, MX, TXT, or all records.
Perform Lookup: Queries are sent via Cloudflare DNS over HTTPS.
Analyze Results: Focus on Data & TTL.
Export Data: Download results as JSON for backup or audits.

What is TTL in DNS? (Time-to-Live Explained)

TTL defines how long a DNS record is cached. It affects DNS propagation speed, website migrations, and domain changes.

Low TTL (300s): Best for migrations & rapid updates.
High TTL (86400s): Reduces load but delays propagation.

How DNS Resolution Works (Step by Step)

A browser DNS query follows these steps:

Browser checks local DNS cache.
If not found, query goes to the local DNS resolver (ISP).
Resolver asks root servers for the TLD (e.g., .com).
It queries the authoritative name servers of the domain.
Resolver returns the IP (A/AAAA) to the browser.
Browser connects to the server and loads the website.

Real-World Examples of DNS Records in Action

Common DNS use cases include:

Hosting a Website: Use A / AAAA records to point your domain to a server.
Email Setup: Use MX + TXT (SPF/DKIM/DMARC) for secure email delivery.
Using a CDN: Point via CNAME records.
Security: Add CAA + DNSSEC for SSL and DNS protection.

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