What is an MX record?

An MX (Mail Exchanger) record specifies which mail server is responsible for receiving email on behalf of a domain.

How do I check if my DNS has propagated?

Use this tool to query the current value of any DNS record. If the new value appears, your DNS change has propagated to Google's public resolvers.

Free DNS Lookup Tool — Query A, MX, TXT, CNAME Records

DNS Record Types Explained

Each DNS record type serves a different purpose. Here's a quick guide to the most common records you'll encounter:

A Record

Maps a domain to an IPv4 address. This is the most fundamental DNS record.

AAAA Record

Maps a domain to an IPv6 address. Used when your server supports IPv6 connectivity.

MX Record

Specifies the mail server responsible for receiving email for the domain.

CNAME Record

Creates an alias from one domain name to another. Often used for subdomains.

TXT Record

Holds text information. Used for SPF, DKIM, domain verification, and more.

NS Record

Identifies which nameservers are authoritative for the domain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DNS lookup?

A DNS lookup queries the Domain Name System to retrieve records associated with a domain. These records control how a domain resolves to servers, handles email, and proves domain ownership.

How do I check if my DNS changes have propagated?

After updating a DNS record, run a lookup here for that record type. If the new value appears, propagation has reached Google's public resolvers — a strong indicator that the change is live globally.

Why is my DNS not showing the updated record?

DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate fully, depending on the TTL (Time To Live) value of the old record. Lower TTL values speed up propagation.

What does TTL mean in DNS?

TTL (Time To Live) is the number of seconds a DNS record is cached by resolvers before they check for an updated value. A TTL of 300 means resolvers cache the record for 5 minutes.

DNS LookupTool