DNS lookup
See every important DNS record of a domain in one query. Leave the hostname empty for the apex and www, or type one to check a specific name such as _dmarc.
What is a DNS lookup?
A DNS lookup asks the domain name system which servers and services a domain points to. It is the fastest way to confirm where a website is hosted, which servers receive its mail, and which nameservers control the zone.
This tool resolves the domain live, straight from DNS. Values are sorted and TTLs stripped, so two checks of the same zone always compare cleanly.
The record types we check
- A
- IPv4 address of the host. This is where the browser connects when it opens the site.
- AAAA
- IPv6 address of the host, the modern counterpart of the A record.
- CNAME
- Alias pointing one name at another, common for www and for SaaS-hosted subdomains.
- MX
- Mail servers for the domain with their priority. Wrong MX records mean lost mail.
- TXT
- Free-form text used for SPF, DKIM, DMARC and ownership verification.
- NS
- The nameservers that answer for the zone. If these change unexpectedly, investigate.
From the blog
- DNS record types explained: A, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS, SOA, SRVA complete reference for DNS record types. What each one does, when to use it, and real-world examples for A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS, SOA, SRV, and CAA.
- DNS propagation: how long it takes and why it variesDNS propagation takes 1 to 48 hours depending on TTL and resolver caches. Learn what controls the delay, how to check propagation status, and how to speed it up.
- How to change nameservers: step-by-step guide for any registrarUpdate your domain nameservers at Namecheap, GoDaddy, OVH, or any registrar. Includes Cloudflare migration steps and how to avoid downtime.
Checking by hand gets old fast
Domain Sentinel runs this exact check on your domains every night and emails you a diff when a record changes.