Common DNS record types
| Type | What it does | Example |
|---|
| A | Points a name to an IPv4 address | 203.0.113.10 |
| AAAA | Points a name to an IPv6 address | 2001:db8::10 |
| CNAME | Makes one name an alias of another | www → example.com |
| MX | Mail servers for the domain, with priority | 10 mail.example.com |
| TXT | Text for verification, SPF, DKIM, DMARC | v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all |
| NS | The name servers in charge of the domain | ns1.example-dns.com |
| SOA | Zone details: primary server, serial, timers | ns1.example.com hostmaster.example.com … |
| CAA | Which certificate authorities may issue SSL certificates | 0 issue "letsencrypt.org" |
How to check if a DNS change has propagated
- Enter the exact name you changed, for example www.example.com or the bare domain.
- Pick the record type you edited.
- If both resolvers show your new value, the change is live for most people. If not, note the TTL and check again after it passes.
Troubleshooting tips
- Domain does not exist (NXDOMAIN): check the spelling, and that the domain is registered and its name servers are set.
- No records found: the name exists but has no record of that type. Try "All types".
- Email not arriving: look up the MX records, then the TXT records for SPF and the _dmarc subdomain for DMARC.
- Old IP still showing on your computer: your device or router may cache DNS. Restart the browser or flush your DNS cache.
Need your own public IP address? Use What is my IP. Working with networks? Try the subnet calculator.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What does this DNS checker do?
It looks up a domain's DNS records using two major public resolvers, Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and Google (8.8.8.8), and shows whether they return the same answer. That tells you whether a recent DNS change has reached the big public resolvers most people use.
How long does DNS propagation take?
It depends on the TTL (time to live) of the old record. Resolvers that cached the old answer keep it until the TTL runs out, which is often 5 minutes to 1 hour, and occasionally up to 24–48 hours. Lowering the TTL a day before a planned change makes switches faster.
What is the difference between A and AAAA records?
An A record points a name to an IPv4 address like 203.0.113.10. An AAAA record points it to an IPv6 address like 2001:db8::10. Many sites have both.
What are MX and TXT records for?
MX records tell other mail servers where to deliver email for a domain. TXT records hold text used for verification and email security, such as SPF, DKIM and DMARC settings, and site-ownership checks for Google or Microsoft.
Why does one resolver show a different answer?
Usually because it still has the old record cached, or because the domain uses geo-based DNS that gives different answers in different places. Wait for the TTL shown to pass and check again.
Is this a full global propagation check?
No. It checks two of the most widely used public resolvers directly from your browser. Internet providers run their own resolvers, which may update a little earlier or later.