DNS Lookup Tool Check All DNS Records
Query A, AAAA, MX, TXT, NS, and CNAME records for any domain. Get comprehensive DNS analysis with email security insights, SSL certificate inspection, and reverse DNS lookups.
Understanding DNS Lookups
DNS (Domain Name System) lookups are the foundation of internet connectivity. When you visit a website, your device performs DNS queries to translate the domain name into an IP address that servers understand. This tool performs comprehensive DNS lookups across all major record types, giving you complete visibility into your domain's DNS configuration.
DNS Record Types and Their Purpose
A Records (IPv4): The most fundamental DNS record type, A records map domain names to 32-bit IPv4 addresses. For example, example.com might point to 93.184.216.34. Multiple A records enable round-robin load balancing and provide redundancy for high-traffic websites.
AAAA Records (IPv6): As IPv4 addresses become scarce, AAAA records map domains to 128-bit IPv6 addresses like 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334. Modern websites should configure both A and AAAA records to support all users regardless of their network configuration.
MX Records (Mail Exchange): MX records specify which mail servers accept email for your domain. Each MX record includes a priority number—mail servers attempt delivery to the lowest-priority server first, falling back to higher numbers if delivery fails. Proper MX configuration is essential for reliable email delivery.
TXT Records: TXT records store arbitrary text data and serve multiple critical functions. SPF records authorize mail servers, DMARC policies define email authentication rules, DKIM keys enable cryptographic signatures, and domain verification tokens prove ownership to services like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
NS Records (Nameservers): NS records delegate DNS authority to specific nameservers. For example, example.com might use ns1.google.com and ns2.google.com as authoritative nameservers. These records are critical for DNS propagation—when you change hosting providers, updating NS records at your domain registrar is the first step.
CNAME Records (Canonical Name): CNAME records create aliases pointing one domain to another. Common use cases include pointing www.example.com to example.com, configuring CDN endpoints, and managing subdomain routing. Note that CNAME records cannot coexist with other record types at the same DNS label.
When to Perform DNS Lookups
Website Migration: Before and after migrating to new hosting, verify A/AAAA records point to the correct IP addresses. Check NS records if you're changing DNS providers. Use DNS propagation checking to confirm changes have reached global resolvers.
Email Deliverability Issues: If legitimate emails are bouncing or landing in spam, check MX records for correct mail server configuration. Verify SPF, DMARC, and DKIM records to ensure proper email authentication. Our tool automatically parses these records and highlights configuration issues.
Security Auditing: Regular DNS lookups help identify unauthorized changes to your DNS records—a common attack vector. Verify that nameservers, A records, and MX records match expected values. Check TXT records for suspicious entries that might indicate compromised domain settings.
Performance Optimization: Analyze TTL values to balance DNS caching efficiency with change agility. Multiple A records can distribute load across servers. Review CNAME chains to eliminate unnecessary DNS query overhead.