DNS records explained without the jargon
If you manage a domain, DNS records are the instructions that tell the internet where your website, email and other services should go.
A record
An A record connects a hostname to an IPv4 address. When someone visits your domain, this is often the record that directs them toward the server hosting the website.
AAAA record
An AAAA record serves the same basic purpose as an A record, but points to an IPv6 address instead of IPv4.
CNAME record
A CNAME makes one hostname an alias of another hostname. It is commonly used for subdomains such as www, app or blog.
MX record
MX records tell sending mail servers which systems should receive email for your domain. Incorrect MX records are a common reason a domain can send or receive website traffic normally while email fails.
TXT record
TXT records store text values used by services for verification and policy. SPF, DKIM and DMARC-related configuration frequently relies on TXT records.
NS record
NS records identify the authoritative nameservers for a domain. If these point to the wrong provider, changes made in a different DNS dashboard may have no effect.
Check your domain now
Use the DNS Lookup tool to see the records currently published for your domain.
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