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DNS Checker

Check common DNS records for a domain, including A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, NS, SOA, SRV, CAA and PTR records.

This DNS checker queries live DNS for the record type you choose and shows exactly what is currently returned — useful when you update hosting, email or domain settings and want to confirm what other systems will see.

Education Host runs your lookup for this request only. Queries are not stored in a database by this tool, although normal server and security logs may record requests like any other website.

The basics

What is a DNS record?

DNS records tell the internet where to find services for a domain, such as a website, mail server or verification record. Each record type answers a different question about the domain.

When you update hosting, email or domain settings, checking DNS records helps confirm what is currently being returned — before you assume a change has taken effect.

What DNS records control

  • Where the website is served from (A and AAAA records)
  • Where email is delivered (MX records)
  • Ownership, SPF and other verification (TXT records)
  • Which nameservers are authoritative (NS records)
  • Which certificate authorities may issue SSL certificates (CAA records)
Record types

Common DNS record types

The ten record types this DNS checker supports, and what each one does.

A

Maps a domain to an IPv4 address

AAAA

Maps a domain to an IPv6 address

CNAME

Points one hostname to another hostname

MX

Identifies mail servers for a domain

NS

Identifies authoritative nameservers

TXT

Stores text records for verification, SPF and other services

SOA

Provides administrative DNS zone information

SRV

Defines service-specific host and port information

CAA

Controls which certificate authorities may issue SSL certificates

PTR

Reverse DNS lookup from IP address to hostname

Practical uses

When is this tool useful?

Checking website DNS

Confirm which A, AAAA or CNAME records a website's hostname is returning right now.

Troubleshooting email setup

Check MX records when email is not arriving, and TXT records for SPF problems.

Confirming DNS after a migration

Verify new records are being returned after a hosting or platform move.

Verifying SPF and TXT records

Confirm verification and policy records were published exactly as intended.

Checking nameserver changes

See which nameservers are answering for a domain after a transfer or NS update.

Supporting hosting or SSL conversations

Share what DNS is actually returning when talking to a provider about hosting or certificates.

Teaching DNS basics

Show students real records for real domains without needing command-line tools.

Propagation

A note on DNS propagation

This tool checks DNS records from the resolver available to Education Host's website environment. DNS results can vary during propagation because different resolvers and networks may cache records for different periods.

Global DNS propagation checks from multiple locations are planned for a future version of the tool.

More tools

Related tools

Part of a growing set of free Education Host checks — with more on the way.

IP Address Checker

See the public IP address your browser is using to reach this website.

Check your IP address

Blacklist Checker

Check whether an IP address appears on common DNS-based email blacklists.

Check blacklist status

IP Lookup

Look up technical details for an IP address, including classification and reverse DNS.

Look up an IP address

DMARC Checker

Check whether a domain has a DMARC record and review the published policy.

Check a DMARC record

Whois Lookup

Look up public domain registration information where available.

Run a Whois lookup

SSL Certificate Checker

Check SSL certificate issuer, expiry date and common HTTPS details for a domain.

Check SSL certificate
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DNS checker — frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about DNS records, propagation and how this checker works.

What is a DNS checker?
A DNS checker looks up the DNS records currently returned for a domain — such as A, MX and TXT records — so you can confirm website, email and verification settings without command-line tools.
What DNS records can I check?
This DNS checker supports A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, NS, TXT, SOA, SRV, CAA and PTR lookups. Choose the record type, enter a domain and the tool shows what is currently returned.
What is an A record?
An A record maps a domain name to an IPv4 address, telling browsers where to find the server behind a website. AAAA records do the same for IPv6 addresses.
What is an MX record?
An MX record identifies the mail servers that accept email for a domain, with a priority number that sets the order servers are tried. Checking MX records is a quick first step when email is not arriving.
What is a TXT record?
A TXT record stores text against a domain and is used for SPF email policies, domain-ownership verification and other services. A domain can have several TXT records at once.
Why do DNS changes take time to appear?
Resolvers and networks cache DNS answers for the record's time-to-live (TTL), so a change spreads gradually as caches expire. Until then, different networks can see different answers for the same domain.
Is this a global DNS propagation checker?
This version checks DNS records from the resolver available to Education Host's website environment. DNS can vary during propagation because different resolvers cache records for different lengths of time. Multi-location propagation checking may be added later.
Why do I see different DNS results elsewhere?
Different resolvers cache records for different lengths of time, and some networks override or filter DNS. During propagation especially, your office, home and mobile connections can each return different answers.
Can I check email DNS records?
Yes. Use the MX option to see which servers accept email for a domain, and the TXT option to check SPF and other email verification records.
Can I check SPF, DKIM or DMARC records?
SPF and many verification records are stored as TXT records, so they can be checked using the TXT option. DKIM records can also be checked if you know the full selector hostname. A dedicated DMARC checker is planned as a separate tool.
Does Education Host store DNS lookups from this tool?
This tool runs your lookup for the current request and does not store DNS queries in a database. Normal server and security logs may record requests like any other website.
Can this help with hosting migrations?
Yes. After updating DNS for a migration, use the checker to confirm the new A, AAAA or CNAME records are being returned, and check MX records to make sure email keeps flowing.