A DNS lookup tool allows one to check the Domain Name System records of a domain name or an IP address. You may want to use a DNS lookup tool to verify the DNS details of a domain name for many reasons, including troubleshooting. DNS records also play a role in network management.

DNS lookup has existed for decades, but our DNS lookup tool has an intuitive UI design. This means you do not have to be tech-savvy or familiar with the command line interface to get DNS records for a domain name.

How to Use the DNS Lookup Tool

Using the DNS lookup tool is easier than ever before. Here are the steps:

  1. Open the DNS lookup tool
  2. Enter the domain name that you find the DNS records of
  3. Wait for a few seconds while the DNS lookup tool fetches the records
  4. In a second, you can see the DNS records on the screen

That’s it. You have found the DNS records of the domain name.

Understanding Different DNS Record Types

DNS records come in various types, each serving a unique purpose. Here’s an overview of these types and their roles in DNS lookup tools.

Record Type
Description
Example Use Case
A (Address)
Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address.
Resolving example.com to 192.0.2.1.
AAAA
Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.
Resolving example.com to 2001:db8::1.
CNAME
Represents an alias for another domain name.
Mapping www.example.com to example.com.
NS
Specifies the authoritative name servers for a domain.
Identifying ns1.example.com as the name server for example.com.
MX
Specifies the mail exchange servers for a domain.
Directing emails for example.com to mail.example.com.
TXT
Contains text information for various purposes, such as domain ownership verification.
Storing SPF records or verification tokens.
PTR
Maps an IP address to a domain name (used in reverse DNS lookups).
Resolving 192.0.2.1 to example.com.
SOA
Provides administrative information about a domain, such as the primary DNS server and refresh intervals.
Indicating ns1.example.com as the primary DNS server.
SRV
Defines the location (hostname and port) of services for a domain.
Specifying the server for a SIP or LDAP service.
CAA
Specifies which certificate authorities (CAs) are allowed to issue SSL certificates for a domain.
Restricting SSL issuance to a specific CA.
NAPTR
Provides rules for URI and service-based name resolution (used in telecommunication protocols).
Translating phone numbers to SIP URIs.
DNSKEY
Stores public keys used for DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions).
Validating DNS responses using cryptographic signatures.
DS
Contains a digest of the DNSKEY record, linking parent and child zones in DNSSEC.
Ensuring DNSSEC validation in a zone delegation.
RP
Specifies contact information for the responsible person for a domain.
Providing an email address for domain administrators.
HINFO
Describes the host’s hardware and operating system (rarely used).
Indicating a server uses an Intel CPU and Linux OS.

You may want to remember these points while trying to understand the results from a DNS lookup tool.

Key Features of DNS Lookup Tools

Here are some key features of DNS lookup tools:

  • Find Multiple DNS Record Types: DNS lookup tools are capable of finding multiple DNS record types, such as A records, AAAA records, CNAME records, NS records, and MX records.
  • Perform Recursive and Authoritative Queries: These tools can perform two types of queries: recursive and authoritative. Recursive queries are sent through recursive resolvers, while authoritative lookups are conducted via authoritative DNS servers.
  • Conduct Global Server Queries: Additionally, DNS lookup servers can execute global server queries, providing different DNS records for various regions.
  • Assist in Error Diagnostics: DNS lookup tools are also helpful for error diagnostics, helping find more about issues like timeouts, misconfigured records, and NXDOMAIN errors.
  • Leverage Caching Information: Caching information is utilized to understand the current DNS records of a domain name.
  • Support Multiple Protocols and Privacy Settings: Furthermore, DNS lookup tools support multiple protocols and privacy settings, including DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS.

However, the exact set of features available will vary based on the DNS lookup tool.

How DNS Lookup Tools Work

Like other tools that provide us with information about the internet infrastructure, DNS lookup tools also require multiple components. Here’s what happens when you use a DNS lookup tool to find additional details about a domain name or IP address.

  1. Enter the Domain Name: You use the DNS lookup tool to enter the domain name whose DNS records you want to find.
  2. Compare Domain with DNS Databases: The DNS lookup tool will compare the domain name against the databases on DNS servers.
  3. View the Complete DNS Record List: In a second or two, you can see the entire list of DNS records for the domain name you submitted via the tool.

However, as always, some DNS lookup tools may offer you additional information. As you can guess, though, DNS servers play the most crucial role when it comes to DNS lookups.

The Role of DNS Servers in Lookups

As I mentioned earlier, DNS servers play a significant role when it comes to DNS lookup tools. In fact, without DNS servers, DNS lookup would not work, whether you’re using a DNS lookup tool for your personal use or for the essential part of DNS lookup that takes place when you want to browse something on the web.

When you use a DNS lookup tool to find out the IP address and other information about a particular domain name, the data that you enter will be compared against DNS servers from multiple providers such as Google, Cloudflare, and Yandex. Depending on your query, the tool will check a variety of records such as A record, CNAME record, or SRV record. And all these records are stored in such a way that a single query can solve all of them.

In most cases, multiple steps are involved in the hierarchy of DNS server lookup.

  • Start with Recursive Resolvers: First, there are recursive resolvers, which are considered the initial step. This step involves collecting basic information from the DNS hierarchy.
  • Use Root Servers for Unresolved Queries: In the next step, root servers are used when the resolver server cannot solve the query. These servers facilitate interaction to locate the TLD server for the domain name.
  • Contact TLD Servers: Following this, TLD servers are contacted, and through this step, the authoritative DNS server for the domain is identified.
  • Retrieve Records from Authoritative Servers: In the final step, authoritative servers provide the most accurate and complete DNS records requested by the lookup tool.

In essence, DNS lookup tools will not work without the correct set of DNS servers.

Use Cases for Online DNS Lookup Tools

Here are a few everyday cases of online DNS lookup tools being used. You may find these appealing based on your needs.

  • Solve DNS Issues: DNS lookup tools can help you solve DNS issues, such as domain resolution errors and misconfigured DNS records. You can also use a lookup to locate potential delays due to misconfigurations or latency.
  • Check and Monitor DNS Record Changes: You can use these tools to check whether recent changes to domain name DNS records are actively reflected. Some tools allow you to monitor DNS changes as well.
  • Access MX Records for Email Setup: If you want to set up an email account on a server, you need access to MX records, which you can find using a DNS lookup tool.
  • Ensure Smooth Website Migration: Finding DNS records through DNS lookup tools is an essential step in website migration and hosting management. You may have to verify multiple types of DNS records to ensure maximum safety.

In addition to these, SEO and website optimization campaigns may also use DNS lookup tools.