About the DNS Lookup
This tool queries DNS for a domain and shows the records it returns, grouped by type: A (IPv4), AAAA (IPv6), MX (mail servers, sorted by priority), TXT (free text, including SPF and site verification), CNAME (aliases) and NS (name servers). "All types" runs every one of those queries at once. PTR (reverse DNS) is available on request: enter an IP address to find the host name it maps back to.
Use it when a site won't resolve, after moving hosting or mail providers, or to confirm a TXT verification record is live. Queries run from our server, with a retry through Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) if the first answer fails, so you see what the wider internet sees rather than your local cache.
How to use it
- Enter a domain such as
example.com. A full URL also works; the scheme, path and port are stripped. - Pick a record type, or keep "All types". For PTR, enter an IP address.
- Select Look up. Each type gets its own card.
Examples
- Look up the MX records for example.com: the mail servers and their priorities.
- See all record types for example.org: every supported type in one view.
- Reverse-resolve 8.8.8.8: the PTR record,
dns.google.
Common questions
Why don't I see my new DNS record yet?
Resolvers cache answers for the record's TTL, so an old value can persist until it expires. The propagation checker compares several public resolvers at once.
What does a lower MX number mean?
Senders try the lowest preference value first and fall back to higher ones if it is unreachable (RFC 5321).
Why is there no CNAME on my root domain?
A CNAME can't coexist with other records at the same name, so the zone apex normally uses A/AAAA records. Some providers emulate it with ALIAS or ANAME flattening.
Related tools
- DNS Propagation Checker: compare the answer across five public resolvers.
- SPF, DKIM & DMARC Checker: check the TXT records behind email authentication.
- WHOIS Lookup: see the registrar and delegated name servers.