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Developer ToolsUpdated 2025-04-11

DNS Lookup Tool: Query A, MX, CNAME, and TXT Records Instantly

Enter any domain and get its DNS records in seconds. See A records, CNAME aliases, MX mail servers, TXT entries, and nameservers without touching the command line.

Introduction

When a website goes down, the first thing any sysadmin checks is DNS. Is the A record pointing to the right IP? Are the MX records configured so email gets delivered? Our DNS Lookup tool gives you instant access to all public DNS records for any domain without opening a terminal or remembering dig command syntax. Type in a domain, pick the record type, and get clean results. It is the fastest way to troubleshoot domain issues, verify email configuration, or check if your DNS changes have propagated.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Enter a domain name

Type the domain you want to query in the input field. Use the bare domain (example.com) or a subdomain (mail.example.com). Do not include https:// or any path.

2

Select the record type

Choose from A (IP address), AAAA (IPv6), MX (mail servers), CNAME (aliases), TXT (text records including SPF and DKIM), NS (nameservers), or SOA (start of authority). Each type reveals different configuration details.

3

Read the results

The results panel shows each record with its value and TTL (time to live). For MX records, you also see the priority number. Lower priority numbers indicate the preferred mail server.

Pro Tips & Best Practices

Pro Tip

After changing DNS records at your registrar, use this tool to check propagation. If the old values still appear, wait a bit. DNS changes can take anywhere from minutes to 48 hours depending on the TTL.

Pro Tip

When debugging email delivery issues, start with an MX record lookup. If no MX records exist for a domain, email to that domain will not be delivered.

Pro Tip

TXT records are where SPF, DKIM, and DMARC policies live. If your emails are landing in spam, check the TXT records to see if these are properly configured.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common Mistake to AvoidIncluding the protocol in the query. Entering "https://example.com" will fail. Remove the protocol and any trailing path. Just use "example.com."
Common Mistake to AvoidExpecting instant propagation after a DNS change. Even though this tool queries public DNS servers, cached results from your old TTL may persist. The tool shows what is currently propagated, not what you just configured.
Common Mistake to AvoidConfusing CNAME and A records. A CNAME is an alias that points to another domain name. An A record points directly to an IP address. You cannot have a CNAME at the zone apex (bare domain) in standard DNS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which DNS server does this tool query?

The tool queries public DNS resolvers to give you the most widely-propagated results. This represents what most users around the world see when they access your domain.

What is a TTL?

TTL stands for Time To Live. It tells DNS caches how many seconds to keep the record before checking for updates. A TTL of 300 means caches refresh every 5 minutes. A TTL of 86400 means caches hold the record for a full day.

Can I look up internal or private DNS records?

No. This tool queries public DNS infrastructure and can only resolve domains that are publicly registered. Internal (private) DNS records used within a corporate network require access to that network.

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