Free A Record Lookup Tool

Instantly perform a DNS A Record to check a IPv4 Address of a domain or sub domain

About A Record Lookup Tool

The Free A Record Lookup Tool is a handy online service that helps you peek behind the scenes of websites and internet addresses. Think of DNS (Domain Name System) as the internet's phonebook. When you type a website name like "example.com" into your browser, DNS is what translates that name into the actual address where the website lives.

Key Features of DNS Lookup Tool

  • Instant lookup of DNS Records for any domain or sub-domain
  • Accurate data on fetched in realtime
  • User-friendly interface that delivers easy-to-understand results
  • Completely free to use with no registration required

How does DNS work? (Simplified)

  • You type a domain name into your browser.
  • Your computer contacts a DNS server.
  • The DNS server looks up the corresponding IP address.
  • The DNS server returns the IP address to your computer.
  • Your computer connects to the web server at that IP address.

Understanding DNS

What is DNS?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It's essentially the internet's phone book. Just like you use a name to contact someone in your phone contacts, computers use IP addresses (numerical identifiers) to find each other online. DNS translates human-friendly domain names (like google.com) into these IP addresses that computers understand. This makes it much easier for us to access websites and online services.

What is a DNS server?

A DNS server is a specialized computer that stores DNS records, which contain the mappings between domain names and IP addresses. When you type a website address into your browser, your computer contacts a DNS server to get the corresponding IP address. Think of it like asking the phone book operator for a number.

What is my DNS Resolver? / What is my DNS server?

"Your DNS" or "your DNS server" refers to the DNS server that your computer is configured to use. Usually, this is provided by your internet service provider (ISP). However, you can change it to use a different DNS server, like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS.

How to find your current DNS Resolver on Windows / Mac / Android?

  • Open any browser or open a new tab on your current browser.
  • Open https://1.1.1.1/help
  • The AS Name is your current DNS Resolver.

How to change DNS Resolver on Windows 10/11?

  • Open Network settings (search for "Network & Internet settings").
  • Click "Change adapter options."
  • Right-click your network connection and select "Properties."
  • Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" or "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" and click "Properties."
  • Choose "Use the following DNS server addresses."
  • Enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses (e.g., Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
  • Click "OK."

How to change DNS Resolver on macOS?

  • Open System Preferences.
  • Go to Network.
  • Select your active connection and click "Advanced."
  • Go to the "DNS" tab.
  • Click the "+" button to add new DNS servers.

How to flush DNS/clear DNS cache on Windows 10/11:

Flushing your DNS cache clears the stored DNS records on your computer. This can help resolve website access problems if incorrect records are cached.

  • Open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in Start).
  • Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

How to flush DNS/clear DNS cache on macOS:

The command varies slightly depending on your macOS version. Try these on the terminal in order:

  • sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder (Most versions)
  • sudo mDNSResponder -flushCache
  • discoveryutil flushcache

What is private DNS?

Private DNS enhances privacy and security by encrypting DNS queries between your device and the DNS server. It helps prevent eavesdropping and manipulation of your DNS traffic.

Why do we need the Domain Name System (DNS)? / What problem does the DNS solve?

We need DNS because it makes using the internet much easier. Remembering IP addresses for every website would be practically impossible. DNS allows us to use memorable domain names instead.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Free DNS Lookup Tool

What information does the Free DNS Lookup Tool provide?

The DNS Lookup tool provides comprehensive DNS information, including A records (IPv4 addresses), AAAA records (IPv6 addresses), CNAME records (aliases), MX records (mail servers), TXT records (text information), NS records (name servers), and CAA records (Certificate Authority Authorization).

How does a DNS lookup work?

A DNS lookup is the process of querying the Domain Name System to obtain information about a domain. When you enter a domain name, the tool sends queries to DNS servers to retrieve DNS records associated with that domain.

Why would I need to use a DNS lookup tool?

DNS lookup tools are useful for various purposes, including troubleshooting email delivery issues, verifying domain ownership, checking for DNS propagation, identifying mail servers, and investigating security settings like SPF and DKIM records.

What's the difference between various DNS record types?

Different DNS record types serve various purposes. For example, A records map domain names to IPv4 addresses, AAAA records map to IPv6 addresses, MX records specify mail servers, CNAME records create aliases, and TXT records can hold various text-based information like SPF records for email authentication.

How often is DNS information updated?

DNS information can be updated at any time by domain owners. The DNS Lookup tool queries DNS servers in real-time, so you'll always get the most up-to-date information. However, due to DNS caching, changes might not be immediately visible everywhere on the internet.

Can I use this tool to check subdomains?

Yes, you can use the Free DNS Lookup Tool to check DNS records for subdomains as well. Simply enter the full subdomain (e.g., sub.example.com) in the input field.

Is the Free DNS Lookup Tool accurate for all domains?

Yes, the tool queries authoritative DNS servers for the most accurate information in real time. However, due to DNS propagation and caching, there might be temporary discrepancies. Also, some domains may use DNS security extensions (DNSSEC) or other advanced configurations that could affect the results.