How long does a DNS lookup take?

Results typically appear within 1–5 seconds after clicking Check.

Is my domain name stored or logged?

No. The domain you enter is used solely to fetch DNS records. We do not store, log, or share your query data.

TTL (Time To Live) is the duration a DNS record is cached. A TTL of 300 means the record is cached for 5 minutes.

What is the difference between nslookup and dig?

dig provides more detailed output and is preferred by network engineers. nslookup is simpler and built into Windows. This tool serves as a browser-based alternative to both.

How do I check DNS propagation?

Use the DNS Propagation Check feature in this tool, or external tools like whatsmydns.net to query DNS servers across multiple locations.

DNS Record Lookup | Free Web Tools

DNS Record Checker Tool

This free online tool allows you to instantly look up DNS records for any domain without using command-line tools like nslookup or dig. Simply enter a domain name and get a detailed breakdown of its DNS configuration, including TTL values, automatic provider detection (Cloudflare, Google Workspace, etc.), and TXT record classification (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and more).

Supported DNS Record Types

Record	Purpose
A	Maps a domain to an IPv4 address
AAAA	Maps a domain to an IPv6 address
CNAME	Creates an alias pointing to another domain
MX	Specifies mail servers for the domain (with priority)
TXT	Free-form text — used for SPF, DKIM, domain verification
NS	Identifies the authoritative name servers for the domain
SOA	Zone administration info: serial, refresh intervals, TTL
SRV	Specifies servers for specific services (e.g., VoIP)
PTR	Reverse DNS lookup: IP address → domain name

How DNS Works — A Quick Explanation

DNS (Domain Name System) acts as the internet's phone book. When you type a domain like example.com into your browser, DNS translates it into an IP address (e.g., 93.184.216.34) so your browser can reach the correct server. This process is called name resolution and typically takes just milliseconds.

What is TTL?

TTL (Time To Live) is the duration in seconds that a DNS record is cached. A TTL of 300 means the record is cached for 5 minutes. Lower TTL values enable faster propagation of DNS changes, while higher values reduce load on DNS servers.

What is DNS Propagation?

After you update a DNS record, it can take time for the change to spread (propagate) across all DNS servers worldwide. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to 72 hours, depending on the TTL of the old record and your ISP's DNS caching behavior.

DNS Record Types — Reference Guide

A Record (Address Record): The most fundamental DNS record, mapping a domain name to an IPv4 address. Web traffic relies on this record to locate your web server.
example.com. A 93.184.216.34
AAAA Record (IPv6 Address Record): The IPv6 equivalent of an A record, mapping a domain to a 128-bit IPv6 address for next-generation network connectivity.
example.com. AAAA 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946
CNAME Record (Canonical Name Record): Creates an alias from one domain name to another. Commonly used to point www subdomains to the root domain. Cannot be used at the zone apex (root domain).
www.example.com. CNAME example.com.
MX Record (Mail Exchanger Record): Specifies the mail server(s) responsible for receiving email on behalf of the domain, with a priority value to determine fallback order.
example.com. MX 10 mail.example.com.
TXT Record (Text Record): A versatile record for storing human- and machine-readable text. Widely used for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and domain ownership verification.
example.com. TXT "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"
NS Record (Name Server Record): Identifies the authoritative DNS servers for the domain — the servers that hold the official DNS records for the domain.
SOA Record (Start of Authority Record): Contains administrative information about the DNS zone: primary name server, responsible email address, serial number (zone version), and timing values for cache and refresh.
PTR Record (Pointer Record): The reverse of an A record, mapping an IP address back to a hostname. Essential for email deliverability — many anti-spam systems check that the sending IP has a valid PTR record.
SRV Record (Service Record): Specifies the location of servers for specific protocols (e.g., SIP for VoIP, XMPP for messaging), including port number, priority, and weight for load balancing.

Troubleshooting DNS Issues

"DNS record fetch failed" error: The domain may not exist, or it may be misspelled. Make sure to include the TLD (e.g., .com, .net). If you entered a full URL (https://...), the tool will automatically extract the hostname, but try entering just the domain name to be safe.
Old IP address still showing after DNS change: The previous record's TTL is likely still keeping the old value cached. This tool queries DNS servers directly, but routing caches may still interfere. Wait for the TTL to expire, then re-check.
Missing MX records: The domain may not be configured for custom email. If email is handled by an external service on a different domain (e.g., @gmail.com), no MX records will be present on the custom domain.
Multiple A records — is that normal?: Yes, multiple A records are completely normal and desirable. CDNs and load balancers use multiple A records to distribute traffic and provide redundancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a DNS lookup take?: Results typically appear within 1–5 seconds. Domains with many records or slow name servers may take longer.
Is my domain name stored or logged?: No. The domain you enter is used solely to fetch the DNS records. We do not store, log, or share your query data.
Why do my results differ from local nslookup?: This tool uses our server's DNS resolver, which may differ from the resolver on your local network. DNS caching and TTL values can also cause temporary discrepancies.
What is the difference between nslookup and dig?: dig provides more detailed output (flags, response time, server info) and is preferred by network engineers. nslookup is simpler and built into Windows. This tool serves as a browser-based alternative to both.
How do I check if my DNS has propagated worldwide?: This tool shows results from a single vantage point. For global propagation status, tools like whatsmydns.net query DNS servers across multiple geographic locations simultaneously.