Free DNS Lookup Tool
Query common DNS record types for a domain and quickly inspect the records that control web hosting, email delivery, verification, and service discovery.
Common use cases
- Verify A and AAAA records before or after changing hosting providers.
- Inspect MX, TXT, SPF, DKIM, and verification records during email setup.
- Troubleshoot DNS propagation, aliases, nameservers, and service records.
NerdTools asks the configured recursive resolver for the selected record type and returns the records it can observe at query time. Results describe public DNS, not unpublished zone-file contents.
How to interpret a DNS result
Start with the record owner, type, value, and TTL. A and AAAA records map names to addresses, CNAME aliases one name to another, MX routes email, NS identifies authoritative servers, and TXT commonly carries verification or email policy.
- Compare the answer with the provider configuration you intended to publish.
- Allow for resolver caching until the previous TTL has elapsed.
- Query the authoritative nameserver directly when recursive answers appear stale or inconsistent.
Limits of this check
One recursive view cannot prove worldwide propagation. Split-horizon DNS, geographic answers, resolver caches, DNS filtering, and provider routing can produce different responses elsewhere.
- An empty answer can be valid when the name exists but has no record of the requested type.
- ANY queries are often limited and should not be treated as a complete zone listing.
- DNSSEC authenticity requires chain validation, not merely the presence of DNSSEC-related records.
Standards and further reading
- RFC 1034: Domain names — concepts and facilities
- RFC 1035: Domain names — implementation and specification
Diagnostic output is evidence, not a guarantee of security, deliverability, availability, or search ranking. Read the NerdTools methodology and limitations before making consequential changes.
Frequently asked questions
Which DNS record types are supported?
NerdTools supports A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, NS, TXT, SRV, SOA, PTR, and ANY lookups.
Is this DNS lookup tool free?
Yes. Enter a public host, choose the DNS Lookup tool, and run a free query from your browser.