Tools

DNS records of a domain

Enter a domain to see all its records explained, who runs its DNS and email, and what is missing to keep messages out of spam.

You can paste a full link, we will take the domain from it. We only read DNS and do not connect to anything.

(02) — Details

What DNS records are

DNS works like the internet's phone book: from a domain name a browser learns the server's IP address, and a mail service learns where to deliver a message. The records live on the domain's DNS servers listed in its NS records, usually at the registrar, the hosting provider or Cloudflare.

Records can only be changed where they are stored. Move to a new host but forget about DNS, and the domain keeps pointing at the old server.

What each record does

  • A and AAAA — the IP address of the server running the website.
  • CNAME — an alias, for example www pointing to the main domain.
  • MX — the servers that receive the domain's email.
  • TXT — service strings: SPF (who may send email), ownership proof for Yandex Webmaster and Google, service keys.
  • NS — the DNS servers responsible for the domain.
  • CAA — which certificate authorities may issue SSL certificates for the domain.

SPF, DKIM and DMARC: why email lands in spam

Mail services check whether a sender may write on behalf of a domain. SPF lists the allowed servers, DKIM signs every message, DMARC says what to do with messages that fail the checks. Without these records, website notifications, newsletters and even normal correspondence land in spam more often.

DKIM is not checked here: that needs a selector only your mail service knows. You will find it in the service's domain setup instructions.

How to move without downtime

  • A day before the move, lower the TTL of your records to 5–10 minutes so changes spread quickly.
  • Move the website and email, and test them on the new server.
  • Change the records and check them on this page.
  • After the move, raise the TTL again, for example to an hour or a day.
(03) — Questions

Questions.

I changed a record, but the old one still shows. Why?
We ask DNS servers the way a normal visitor does and see answers with caching. An old record lives as long as its TTL says. Results here refresh at most once a minute.
What is TTL?
The time in seconds other servers remember a record before asking again. A lower TTL means changes spread faster and servers ask your DNS more often.
Do I need a record for www?
Yes. Many people type the address with www, and without a record the site will not open for them. Usually www gets a CNAME to the main domain, and the server redirects to a single version of the address.
Where do I change DNS records?
At the service your NS records point to: the “What we see” block names who runs the DNS. If it is your registrar, use its account panel; if it is Cloudflare, use the Cloudflare dashboard.
Why don't you check DKIM?
A DKIM key lives at an address like selector._domainkey.domain, and the selector is chosen by your mail service. Without it the record cannot be found. The selector is in your mail service's domain setup guide.
(04) — Studio

Moving hosts or setting up email on your domain?

We will move your website and email without downtime and set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC so your messages stay out of spam. This is part of our website support.

Message on Telegram → Message on MAX
Website support ↗ Website audit ↗