How to check DNS records for any domain

When you need a DNS lookup

DNS is the system that turns a domain name into the addresses and settings computers actually use. When a website does not open, email stops arriving or you have just moved a domain to a new host, the first thing to check is what the DNS records really say.

The DNS Lookup tool on NetworkTools queries a domain for the record type you choose and shows the answers in a table. It uses DNS over HTTPS (DoH) providers, so you can compare what different resolvers return.

Step by step

1. Open the DNS Lookup tool. Enter the domain name you want to check, for example networktools.cloud.
2. Choose the record type from the dropdown (A is selected by default) and tick one or more DoH providers: Cloudflare, Google or Quad9.

   

3. Click the Lookup button. Nothing is queried until you click it, so change the settings first and run the check when you are ready.
4. Read the Results section. For each provider you will see a table with the name, record type, TTL and data. In the screenshot below, the A record of the domain returns an IPv4 address from Cloudflare.

   

5. Use the copy icon at the end of a row to copy a value, or the trash button next to Lookup to clear the form and start a new check.

How to read the result

• Name is the domain the record belongs to.
• Type is the record type you asked for. Common ones are A (IPv4 address), MX (mail servers), TXT (text, often used for email and ownership checks) and CNAME (an alias to another name).
• TTL is how long, in seconds, resolvers may cache the answer. A low TTL means changes spread faster.
• Data is the value of the record, such as an IP address or a hostname.

Tips

• Compare providers. Tick more than one DoH provider. If the answers differ, the change may still be propagating or cached somewhere.
• Check the TTL after a change. If you changed a record recently, resolvers can keep the old answer until the TTL runs out.
• Use the right record type. If you are debugging email, query MX and TXT rather than A.
• Mind the extra tools. The Additional Tools block (WHOIS, Port Check, RBL Check, DNSSEC, DNS Trace and GeoIP) runs its requests from our server, so the results may reflect the server's location and IP address rather than yours.

FAQ

What is a DNS lookup?

It is a query that asks DNS servers for the records of a domain, such as its IP address or mail servers.

Why do I have to click Lookup?

The tool only sends the query when you click the button, which lets you set the record type and providers first.

What is a DoH provider?

DoH means DNS over HTTPS. The tool lets you send the query through Cloudflare, Google or Quad9 and compare their answers.

What does TTL mean?

TTL (time to live) is the time in seconds that a DNS answer may be cached before it is checked again.

Related tools

• DNS Lookup: the tool described in this guide.
• QR Code Generator: share a link to your site as a QR code.
• Password Generator: secure your hosting and registrar accounts with strong passwords.
• PNG to JPG converter: convert images for your website.

Try it now

Not sure what your domain points to? Open the DNS Lookup tool, enter the name and click Lookup.