GLOBAL PROPOSITION & DNS TOOLS
Getting started with our global DNS checker
Understand the fundamentals of domain mapping, fast global resolution, and real-time DNS queries. Our toolkit breaks down the complex systems keeping the internet connected.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System acts as the phonebook of the internet. It translates human-friendly domain names like ‘example.com’ into computer-friendly IP addresses, allowing your browser to quickly locate and load the correct server resources.
How does DNS propagate?
When DNS records change, it takes time for servers globally to refresh their cache. DNS propagation is the process of connecting and publishing these new address configurations securely across the entire global internet architecture.
How do I do a DNS lookup?
Simply enter your website URL into our input field, choose the targeted record type (like A, CNAME, or MX) using the selection dropdown, and check state-by-state propagation instantly from around the world.
DNS Directory & Records
What DNS record should I look up?
DNS records act as instructions for the Domain Name System, translating human-friendly domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. Explore the most common records used to route traffic, handle email, and verify domain ownership.
A Record
Maps a domain name to its corresponding IPv4 address, directing web traffic to the correct hosting server.
AAAA Record
Functions identically to the A record, but maps the domain to a modern 128-bit IPv6 address instead.
CNAME Record
Canonical Name record. Aliases one hostname to another, allowing multiple services to share a single DNS destination.
NS Record
Name Server record. Specifies which authoritative DNS servers are responsible for managing and publishing the domain’s zones.
MX Record
Mail Exchanger record. Routes incoming emails to the designated mail servers responsible for accepting messages on your domain.
TXT Record
Text record. Holds arbitrary descriptive text, widely used for security frameworks like SPF, DKIM, and general site verification.
SOA Record
Start of Authority record. Contains critical administrative metadata about the zone, including primary nameserver and refresh intervals.
PTR Record
Pointer record. Performs reverse DNS lookups by mapping an IPv4 or IPv6 address back to its associated hostname or domain.
SPF Record
Sender Policy Framework. A legacy structure (now a TXT record format) used to specify which mail servers are authorized to send mail.
Why is DNS lookup important?
If you’ve recently switched hosting providers, updated your domain settings, or launched a new web application, understanding how your domain resolves is critical. Global DNS is the critical glue that keeps websites online and connected, routing users to the correct servers instantly.
Enterprise DNS & Infrastructure
Activate free global DNS with managed hosting
Deploy any workload on optimized infrastructure with free premium Anycast DNS routes, automated backups, and fully handled security layers.
Managed WordPress
Fully optimized architecture featuring edge caching, staging sites, auto-updates, and daily redundant system backups.
Managed WooCommerce
Engineered for high-volume transactions with dedicated resources, cart dynamic caching, and global performance routing.
GLOBAL RESOLUTION
DNS checker FAQ
What does a DNS checker do?
A DNS checker queries name servers located across different regions worldwide to verify the current status and values of specific DNS records (such as A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, or TXT). It helps you determine if your domain’s records are correctly configured and visible globally.
Why does checking DNS propagation matter?
When you update your DNS settings, the changes do not take effect globally instantly. DNS propagation checking matters because it allows network administrators to monitor how fast servers globally are updating to point to your new IP address or server, minimizing potential service disruptions.
What is the difference between DNS and IP address?
An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to the internet (e.g., 192.0.2.1). The Domain Name System (DNS) acts like a directory that translates human-readable domain names (such as yourwebsite.com) into these machine-readable IP addresses.
Why is DNS required?
DNS is absolutely required for modern internet infrastructure. Without it, users would have to memorize complex, variable sequences of numbers for every web service, website, or API they interact with. It simplifies and automates global internet routing.
What if I have a DNS lookup problem?
A DNS lookup failure indicates that your local browser or resolving server cannot map your domain to its destination. This can be diagnosed using our checker to see if the issue is local (network cache, ISP) or authority-side (expired domains, incorrect server zone configurations).
How often do DNS records update?
DNS update intervals are governed by the TTL (Time to Live) setting configured within your domain registrar or zone file. A low TTL (e.g., 300 seconds) updates almost instantly, whereas high TTL configurations can take up to 24 to 48 hours to fully clear regional recursive caches.
DNS KNOWLEDGE BASE
Getting started with our global DNS checker
Understand the core concepts of Domain Name System resolution, propagation latency, and diagnostic lookups globally.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) acts as the phonebook of the internet. It translates human-friendly domain names like ‘example.com’ into computer-friendly IP addresses like 192.0.2.1.
How does DNS propagate?
When you update DNS records, it takes time for servers worldwide to cache and update. This network-wide propagation connects your new address across ISPs globally over up to 48 hours.
How do I do a DNS lookup?
Simply enter your domain URL in the input field above, select your desired record type (A, AAAA, MX, CNAME) from the dropdown list, and initiate the global scan.
What DNS record should I look up?
Different DNS records serve unique purposes, mapping domain names to IP addresses, mail servers, and validation keys. Explore the core records below to understand their functions.
A Record
Maps a hostname directly to an IPv4 address. It is the fundamental record used to point your domain name to a physical web server.
AAAA Record
Functions exactly like an A record, but maps hostnames to modern 128-bit IPv6 addresses instead of traditional IPv4 addresses.
CNAME Record
Canonical Name record. Maps an alias or subdomain (like www) to another domain name, pointing multiple services to a single endpoint.
NS Record
Name Server record. Designates which DNS servers are authoritative for your domain, defining where DNS queries must be routed.
MX Record
Mail Exchanger record. Specifies the mail servers responsible for accepting incoming email messages on behalf of your domain.
TXT Record
Text record. Used to hold arbitrary text data. Commonly utilized for external domain verification, DKIM setup, and platform configurations.
SOA Record
Start of Authority record. Holds administrative info about the DNS zone, containing email contact info, serial numbers, and refresh timers.
PTR Record
Pointer record. Operates in reverse by resolving an IP address back to a hostname. Crucial for anti-spam filters and security auditing.
SPF Record
Sender Policy Framework. A specialized TXT record designating which email servers are officially authorized to send mail from your domain.
Why is DNS lookup important?
If you’ve recently switched hosting providers or updated your domain settings, ensuring your records propagate correctly is vital. Global DNS is the critical glue that keeps websites online and connected.
Activate free global DNS with managed hosting
Supercharge your website speed and reliability across all deployments with built-in Anycast DNS.
Managed WordPress
Optimized staging environments, automated daily backups, and core updates designed specifically for peak WordPress performance.
Managed WooCommerce
Scale your online storefront effortlessly with Redis object caching, automated checkout testing, and elastic capacity scaling.
Managed Magento
Enterprise-grade hosting architecture with integrated Elasticsearch, Redis caching, and robust security patch monitoring.
KNOWLEDGE BASE
DNS Checker FAQ
Get clear, reliable answers to the most common questions about domain name systems, global lookup resolution, and record propagation.
What does a DNS checker do?
A DNS checker queries DNS servers located around the world to fetch your active records (A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, etc.). It helps verify if your domain settings are configured properly and are visible globally.
Why does checking DNS propagation matter?
Checking DNS propagation ensures that changes to your domain settings—such as migrating to a new host, setting up secure email servers, or updating subdomains—have successfully distributed across the global web directory, minimizing any visitor downtime.
What is the difference between DNS and IP address?
An IP address is a unique, numerical identification code assigned to every server online (e.g., 192.0.2.1). DNS acts like a phone book, translating easily readable domain names (like website.com) into those computer-friendly IP addresses.
Why is DNS required?
DNS is absolutely essential because servers can only connect with numerical IPs. Without DNS translating words to numbers, you would have to remember and input a complicated string of digits every time you wanted to open a webpage.
What if I have a DNS lookup problem?
If you hit a lookup failure, it usually points to local network cache issues, server configurations, or DNS misspellings. Flushing your local DNS cache, resetting your router, or auditing your nameserver settings typically resolves the issue.
How often do DNS records update?
DNS record updates rely on the Time-To-Live (TTL) configuration on your records. Lower TTLs update in minutes, while standard setups can take anywhere from a few hours up to 48 hours to cache globally.
