DNS Record Types Explained (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS)
A DNS zone is a set of records, each with a type that defines what it returns.
| Type | Returns | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A | IPv4 address | Point a name to a server |
| AAAA | IPv6 address | IPv6 hosting |
| CNAME | Another name | Alias (e.g. www → apex) |
| MX | Mail server + priority | Email routing |
| NS | Authoritative name servers | Delegation |
| TXT | Free text | SPF, DKIM, domain verification |
| PTR | Host name | Reverse DNS |
| SOA | Zone metadata | Serial, refresh, contact |
Try It
Enter a domain in the DNS Lookup tool to see its live A/AAAA/CNAME/MX/NS/TXT records, or an IP to get its PTR. The Domain Whois tool combines these with registration data.
A Few Gotchas
- A CNAME cannot coexist with other records at the same name (so it is not allowed at the zone apex).
- MX values include a priority number; lower is preferred.
- A single name can have multiple A/AAAA records for load balancing.