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DNS Records Explained in Simple Terms

DNS records are instructions that tell the internet where to find a domain and how to handle traffic for it. They link a human-friendly domain name (like example.com) to technical details such as IP addresses, email servers, and security settings.

Instead of typing a long number like 192.0.2.1, you type a domain name. DNS then looks up the right records and connects you to the correct server. That’s why DNS is often called the “phonebook of the internet.”

DNS records are stored in a domain’s zone file (a text-based list of settings) and are hosted on authoritative name servers. When someone visits your website or sends you an email, a DNS query is made. DNS servers read the zone file, follow the records, and return the answer needed to load the site or deliver the message.

Each record also has a TTL (Time To Live), which is how long other servers are allowed to cache that record before checking again. A lower TTL can make updates appear faster, while a higher TTL can reduce lookups.

Common DNS Record Types You’ll See

• A / AAAA: Points a domain to an IPv4 or IPv6 address
• CNAME / ALIAS: Sends one name to another name (useful for subdomains)
• MX: Tells email providers where to deliver mail
• TXT: Stores text values (often used for verification and email security)
• NS: Shows which name servers control the domain’s DNS
• SOA: Core zone details (owner, refresh timing, serial number)
• CAA: Controls which certificate authorities can issue SSL/TLS certs
• SRV: Defines services like VoIP or specific app servers
• PTR: Reverse DNS (IP address → domain name)

Knowing what these records do helps you troubleshoot website issues, fix email delivery problems, and improve your domain’s security and reliability.

Common DNS Record Types You Should Know

DNS records are the settings that tell the internet how your domain should behave. When you understand the main record types, DNS management becomes much easier—whether you’re pointing a website, fixing email delivery, or improving security.

Here are the most common DNS records you’ll see:

A Record (IPv4 Address)

An A record connects a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address (example: 93.184.216.34).

Use it to point example.com or www.example.com to your web server.

AAAA Record (IPv6 Address)

An AAAA record does the same job as an A record, but for IPv6 addresses. IPv6 is growing because IPv4 addresses are limited.

CNAME Record (Alias)

A CNAME makes one hostname act like an alias of another.

Example: you can point blog.example.com to example.com so you only update the main target once if it changes.

DNAME Record (Wildcard Alias for Subdomains)

A DNAME redirects many subdomains at once to another domain.

It’s useful when moving a group of subdomains (like app.domain.com, shop.domain.com, help.domain.com) to a new domain.

MX Record (Email Routing)

An MX record tells the Internet where to deliver email for your domain.

Without correct MX records, emails to addresses like [email protected] may fail.

NS Record (Authoritative Name Servers)

NS records show which name servers control your domain’s DNS.

These servers hold the “final” DNS answers for your domain, so NS records are essential for your site and email to work.

SOA Record (Zone Information)

The SOA record contains core admin details for the DNS zone, including refresh timing and other control values that help DNS servers stay in sync.

TXT Record (Verification + Security)

A TXT record stores text data used for:

• domain ownership verification (Google, Microsoft, etc.)
• email security records like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC

SPF Record (Email Sender Rules)

SPF tells receiving email servers which systems are allowed to send mail on behalf of your domain.

It helps reduce spoofing and spam. (SPF is usually published as a TXT record.)

PTR Record (Reverse DNS)

A PTR record maps an IP address back to a hostname (reverse lookup).

It’s commonly used for email trust and anti-spam checks, and is typically managed by your hosting provider or ISP.

SRV Record (Service Location)

An SRV record points services to the correct server and port—often used for apps like chat, VoIP, or Microsoft services.

CAA Record (SSL Certificate Control)

A CAA record lets you choose which Certificate Authorities are allowed to issue SSL/TLS certificates for your domain—useful for preventing unwanted certificate issuance.

CERT Record (Stored Certificates)

A CERT record can store certificates in DNS. It’s less common today, but it can support certain security setups.

ALIAS Record (Root Domain to Hostname)

An ALIAS record works like a CNAME but is typically used at the root domain (apex), depending on DNS provider support.

It allows example.com to point to a hostname instead of an IP.

NSEC Record

An NSEC record is part of DNSSEC and helps prove that a record does not exist—reducing fake responses and improving trust in DNSSEC-enabled zones.

URL Redirect / URL Forwarding

Some DNS providers offer URL forwarding (like 301, 302, or masking).

It isn’t a true DNS record in the classic sense, but a provider feature that redirects one URL to another.