DNS Lookup - Free Online DNS Record Query Tool

The DNS Lookup tool is a free online utility that allows you to query specific DNS (Domain Name System) record types for any domain. Unlike general DNS checkers that show all records at once, this tool lets you select which DNS record types you want to query, giving you precise control over the information you retrieve. Whether you're troubleshooting email issues, verifying domain configurations, or investigating network problems, this tool provides targeted DNS information quickly and accurately.

What is DNS Lookup For?

DNS Lookup serves multiple purposes for website owners, IT professionals, and developers:

Targeted Record Queries: Query specific DNS record types instead of retrieving all records
Email Configuration: Check MX records to verify mail server setup
Domain Verification: Query TXT records for domain verification codes
Network Troubleshooting: Check A and AAAA records for IP address resolution
Security Analysis: Verify CAA records for SSL/TLS certificate authorization
Service Discovery: Query SRV records for service locations
DNS Zone Analysis: Check SOA records for zone administrative information

How to Use DNS Lookup

Enter the domain name you want to query (e.g., "example.com")
Select one or more DNS record types from the checklist (A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT, CNAME, SOA, PTR, SRV, CAA)
Click the "Lookup DNS Records" button
Review the results organized by record type
Copy individual record values or download the raw JSON response

Understanding DNS Record Types

Our DNS Lookup tool supports querying the following DNS record types:

A (Address) Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address (e.g., 192.0.2.1)
AAAA (Quad-A) Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address (e.g., 2001:db8::1)
MX (Mail Exchanger) Record: Specifies mail servers responsible for handling email, with priority values
NS (Name Server) Record: Identifies the authoritative DNS servers for the domain
TXT (Text) Record: Stores text-based information, commonly used for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and domain verification
CNAME (Canonical Name) Record: Creates an alias from one domain name to another
SOA (Start of Authority) Record: Contains administrative information about the DNS zone, including primary nameserver and serial number
PTR (Pointer) Record: Used for reverse DNS lookups, mapping an IP address to a domain name
SRV (Service) Record: Specifies the location of specific services, such as VoIP or instant messaging
CAA (Certification Authority Authorization) Record: Specifies which certificate authorities are allowed to issue SSL/TLS certificates for the domain

Example Use Cases

Email Setup Verification: Query MX records to verify that email is properly configured for your domain
Domain Ownership Verification: Check TXT records to find domain verification codes from services like Google Search Console
IP Address Resolution: Query A and AAAA records to find the IP addresses associated with a domain
DNS Server Configuration: Check NS records to see which nameservers are authoritative for a domain
SSL Certificate Management: Query CAA records to see which certificate authorities can issue certificates
Subdomain Configuration: Check CNAME records to see if subdomains are aliased to other domains

How DNS Lookup Works

The tool uses Google's public DNS API (8.8.8.8) to perform DNS queries. The process:

Validates the domain name format
Sends separate DNS queries for each selected record type
Receives and parses the DNS responses
Organizes results by record type for easy viewing
Provides raw JSON response for advanced users

Key Features

Selective Querying: Choose specific DNS record types instead of retrieving everything
Multiple Record Types: Query multiple record types simultaneously
Organized Results: Results are grouped by record type for easy reading
Copy Functionality: Quickly copy individual record values
Raw JSON Export: Download the complete DNS response in JSON format
Fast and Accurate: Uses Google's reliable public DNS servers
Free to Use: No registration or payment required

Best Practices

Use FQDNs: For accurate results, use fully qualified domain names (e.g., "www.example.com" instead of "www")
Select Relevant Types: Only query the DNS record types you need to reduce query time
Verify Changes: After making DNS changes, use this tool to verify the new records are active
Check TTL Values: Pay attention to TTL (Time to Live) values to understand cache duration
Compare Results: Use the raw JSON export to compare DNS responses over time

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between DNS Lookup and DNS Records Checker?

DNS Lookup allows you to selectively query specific DNS record types, while DNS Records Checker retrieves all DNS records at once. DNS Lookup is ideal when you only need certain record types, making it faster and more focused for specific troubleshooting tasks.

Can I query multiple DNS record types at once?

Yes! You can select multiple DNS record types using the checkboxes, and the tool will query all selected types simultaneously. This allows you to get comprehensive information about a domain's DNS configuration in a single lookup.

How accurate are the DNS lookup results?

The results are highly accurate as they come directly from Google's public DNS servers (8.8.8.8), which are reliable and up-to-date. However, DNS results can be cached, so recent changes might not appear immediately. The tool shows the current DNS records as they exist at the time of the query.

What should I do if no records are found for a selected type?

If no records are found for a selected type, it means that record type doesn't exist for that domain. This is normal - not all domains have all record types configured. For example, some domains may not have AAAA (IPv6) records if they only use IPv4.

Can I use this tool for subdomains?

Yes, you can query DNS records for subdomains by entering the full subdomain name (e.g., "mail.example.com" or "www.example.com"). Each subdomain can have its own DNS records independent of the main domain.

What is the raw JSON response used for?

The raw JSON response contains the complete DNS query response in a structured format. It's useful for developers who need to programmatically process DNS data, for debugging purposes, or for saving DNS configurations for later comparison.

How long does a DNS lookup take?

DNS lookups typically take a few hundred milliseconds to a few seconds, depending on the number of record types queried, network conditions, and DNS server response time. The tool shows a loading indicator during the lookup process.

Is my DNS query private?

DNS queries to Google's public DNS are sent over HTTPS, but they are processed by Google's DNS servers. While Google has privacy policies, if you need complete privacy, consider using a VPN or a different DNS resolver. We don't store or log your queries on our end.

Disclaimer

While our DNS Lookup tool strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information, please note that DNS records can change frequently. The results displayed are based on the current DNS responses at the time of the query from Google's public DNS servers. We recommend using this tool in conjunction with other DNS tools for critical decision-making or troubleshooting processes.