DNS Lookup

Our DNS lookup helps you efficiently get detailed information about your domain’s DNS records. This online tool is designed to accurately retrieve and display all the essential "domain name system records" of any provided domain/hostname in real-time.

DNS Lookup Online

DNS record lookup allows you to view the DNS records for a domain. Our online tool facilitates users by quickly carrying out the DNS record lookup process in seconds. It can be done for all websites, regardless of whether you own them or not. All it requires is a valid domain or hostname.

Our DNS check tool provides details about all commonly available domain records, such as the A record, AAAA record, CNAME record, NS record, MX record, TXT record, and so on.

The details provided by our tool are precise and accurate. When the DNS record check is performed, our tool queries the DNS servers to get the information related to the DNS records.

How to Perform DNS Lookup Online?

Follow this simple 4-step method to check and validate any domain’s DNS records:

1: Enter The Domain

Start by entering the domain name whose DNS records you want to retrieve, ensure it is a valid domain name, such as dns-lookup.net.

2: Specify DNS Server

Choose the server against which you wish to check the respective domain’s DNS records. Our DNS record checker lets you select among the following DNS servers:

  • Google: Google’s DNS server is a recursive server found on the IP address 8.8.8.8.

  • Cloudflare:Cloudflare’s DNS server is a public recursive resolver found on the IP address 1.1.1.1.

  • OpenDNS: OpenDNS is DNS server provided and managed by a company with the same name. It has the IP addresses: 208.67.222.222. 208.67.220.220.

  • Quad9: Quad9 is a global public DNS recursive server found on the IP 9.9.9.9, among others.

  • Yandex: Yandex DNS server is also a public recursive resolver operated by the Russian search engine Yandex. It can be found on the IP address 77.88.8.8

  • Authoritative DNS: By choosing the Authoritative DNS, you can make the query directly to the authoritative servers responsible for the domain.

3: Select DNS Record

If you want to select any specific DNS record type like A record, Txt record, or MX record of your entered domain, select it from the records listed below. By default, “All DNS Records” is selected:

  1. A Record

An A (Address) record maps a domain name to an IPv4 address.

  1. AAAA Record

The AAAA record maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.

  1. CNAME Record

A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is used to point a sub-domain to its parent domain.

  1. MX Record

MX (Mail Exchange) records contain information about the mail servers that are supposed to receive email messages for a domain.

  1. NS Record

NS (Name Server) records contain information about the authoritative name servers of a domain.

  1. PTR Record

A PTR (Pointer) record is used in reverse DNS lookup to map an IP address to a domain name. 

  1. SRV Record

SRV (Service) records are used to describe the location of servers that provide specific services within a domain.

  1. SOA Record

An SOA (Start of Authority) record includes information about the primary authoritative DNS server for the zone, contact information for the administrator, and other metadata. 

  1. TXT Record

TXT (Text) records information for a domain in the form of a TXT file. They are often used for verification, email authentication, and other textual data. 

  1. CAA Record

CAA (Certificate Authority Authorization) records specify which certificate authorities can issue SSL/TLS certificates for a domain.

  1. DS Record

DS (Delegation Signer) records are used in DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to establish a chain of trust for DNS information.

  1. DNSKEY Record

DNSKEY records are another essential component of DNSSEC. They are used to store cryptographic keys that are used to sign and verify DNSSEC-related records.

4: Start DNS Lookup

After specifying the DNS record type, click the “DNS Lookup” button, and our tool will quickly perform the DNS record check. The domain DNS lookup tool will perform the DNS query and display all the essential domain’s DNS records.

Where Can Our DNS Finder Tool be used? Some Use Cases

Online DNS (Domain Name System) lookup is a critical tool for various purposes related to networking, cybersecurity, and web administration. Here are some everyday use cases for online DNS record checker:

1. DNS Configuration Verification: 

Network administrators and website owners can use our domain DNS lookup tool to verify that DNS records (such as A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, or SPF) are correctly configured. This process of verification ensures that services like email, subdomains, and website routing will work properly.

2. Troubleshooting Domain-related Issues: 

Our DNS server lookup can come in handy when troubleshooting domain-related issues. For example, if a website is not loading, you can use our DNS lookup tool to check if the issue lies in the IP address. Or, if the emails to your domain are not being sent, you can check the MX record to see if the problem is present there.

3. Website Monitoring: 

Online DNS lookup can be part of website monitoring systems. It allows administrators to periodically check their websites' DNS records to ensure they are resolving correctly and to detect any unauthorized changes.

4. Cybersecurity Analysis: 

Security professionals perform DNS record checks to investigate and analyze potential security incidents. For example, if a malicious domain accesses your website, you can perform a DNS lookup to learn its IP address, hosting, and the region in which it is based. This information can help you identify the threat better and take action against it.

5. Education and Training: 

DNS records lookup is a fundamental concept in networking education and training. Students and professionals often use our tool to practice and understand DNS operations.

Note: If your DNS records are incorrect, your website might not load properly, emails could go missing, or your online services might not work as they should. That’s why it is essential to check your DNS records, for which our DNS record lookup tool is here to help.

How to Lookup DNS on Windows? 

DNS lookup on Windows is a straightforward process that allows you to retrieve information about domain names and their associated IP addresses. Here's how you can do it:

a) Use Command Prompt

  • Press Win + R, type in cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
windows CMD

  • In the Command Prompt window, type nslookup domain.com (replace "domain.com" with the domain you want to look up) and press Enter.

DNS lookup using windows

  • The results will display the IP addresses associated with the domain and the DNS server that responded.

b) Use PowerShell

  • Press Win + X and select "Windows PowerShell" (Admin) from the menu.

powsershell menu

  • In the PowerShell window, type Resolve-DnsName domain.com and press Enter.

DNS Lookup using powsershell

  • The output will provide detailed information about the domain's DNS records.

c) How to Perform DNS Records Lookup on MAC and Linux?

If you wish to check DNS on MAC, use the Terminal application as follows:

  • Open Spotlight by pressing Cmd + Space. Then type in "Terminal," and press Enter to open the Terminal.

mac terminal

  • In the Terminal window, type nslookup domain.com (replace "domain.com" with the domain you want to look up) and press Enter.

mac terminal
  • The results will display the IP addresses associated with the domain and the DNS server details

Understanding Domain Name System (DNS) 

The Domain Name System (DNS) is responsible for converting domain names into IP addresses so that internet browsers can load online resources. DNS is also responsible for carrying instructions for how domains receive emails, connect to online services, redirect users, and so forth. All of these functions are performed through various DNS records that are kept within the authoritative DNS servers.

What is DNS Lookup?

“DNS lookup” is the process through which the DNS records of a domain are fetched and provided to the user. By performing a DNS lookup, a user can see the various DNS records for a domain, such as the A record, AAAA record, MX record, and so on.

Every domain has DNS records stored in the authoritative nameservers. These records define the domain's IP address, recipient email servers, nameserver credentials, etc.

How Does DNS Resolution Work?

The process of DNS resolution is based on multiple steps. Here is a breakdown of how it works:

  1. User inputs a domain name: For the first step, the user inputs a domain name into the client. The client initiates a request to fetch the required DNS records for that domain. (In situations where websites on the Internet are normally accessed by users, the client is the browser.)

  2. Recursive resolver is engaged: The client's request is then received by the recursive resolver, a special type of server that serves an important function in the DNS resolution process by querying the various servers.

  3. Cache of recursive resolver is checked: The recursive resolver first checks its own cache to see if it contains the data/records that the user requires. Often, when a domain is accessed by a user, the data is stored in the resolver's cache to be loaded quickly the next time.

  4. Root DNS server is queried: If the data is not in the local cache, the recursive resolver begins the DNS resolution process afresh. The first thing it does is go to the root DNS server. The root server points the recursive resolver to the TLD server concerned with the requested domain. For example, for the domain “sample.com,” the .com TLD server would be queried.

  5. TLD DNS server is queried: The TLD server is queried. The TLD server essentially contains information about the authoritative DNS nameservers for that domain. This server basically tells the recursive resolver which authoritative nameserver to go to in order to get the records they need.

  6. Request goes to Authoritative DNS server: Once the domain's authoritative nameserver is determined, the recursive resolver queries it and fetches the required records.

  7. Authoritative DNS server’s response is taken to the client: The records/data provided by the authoritative servers are taken to the client, who then gives it to the user.

FAQs

Do you have more questions? No worries. We are here to guide you at every step.

What is DNS caching, and how does it work?

DNS caching is the process through which the DNS records of domains that you’ve already visited are stored in a “cache” (which is a temporary storage space on your system). This allows the domain to load faster the next time you decide to revisit.

For example, the “A” record for a domain can be cached so that your system can quickly resolve the domain name to its IP address and load the resource.

How long does it take for DNS changes to propagate?

DNS changes can take a few minutes to 48 hours to spread throughout the internet. The TTL (Time to Live) configured in the DNS settings can also affect how quickly the changes are propagated. 

What is the purpose of TTL (Time-to-Live) in DNS records?

TTL (Time-to-Live) in DNS records determines how long resolvers and other devices can cache a DNS record before requesting the updated information from the authoritative DNS server.

How often should I check my DNS records?

Regularly checking your DNS records is a good practice, especially after changing your domain settings or experiencing issues. We recommend checking them whenever you make significant updates or at least every few months to ensure everything functions as expected.

What if my domain DNS lookup doesn’t show results?

If your domain DNS lookup doesn't show results, it might indicate an issue with your domain's configuration or the tool's connectivity. Double-check the domain name for accuracy, ensure your domain is active and correctly configured, and try the lookup again later.

Is the information obtained from the tool always up-to-date?

DNS records can change over time due to domain updates or configuration changes. However, the information provided by our DNS Lookup tool reflects the DNS records as of the time of the DNS query. 

Why is DNS resolution important for website performance?

DNS resolution is important for website performance because it translates a website's name into its actual address on the internet. This translation needs to be quick and accurate. Just as knowing a friend's phone number saves time making a call, fast DNS resolution speeds up website loading. Ultimately, it contributes to a better browsing experience for users. 

Can DNS records affect email deliverability?

Yes. Think of DNS records as directions for emails. Just like you need the right address to receive mail at home, your domain's DNS records guide emails to the right destination. Different types of DNS records (like MX and SPF) act like signposts for email servers, showing them where to send and how to trust your emails. If these DNS records are incorrectly set up or lack important information, the emails might get lost, marked as spam, or rejected by recipient servers.