DNS Record Types Explained

A complete guide to DNS record types

A Record (Address)

Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address. The most common DNS record type.

Example: example.com → 93.184.216.34

AAAA Record (IPv6 Address)

Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address. Essential for IPv6-enabled networks.

Example: example.com → 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946

MX Record (Mail Exchange)

Specifies mail servers responsible for receiving email for the domain.

Example: example.com → mail.example.com (priority 10)

NS Record (Name Server)

Indicates which DNS servers are authoritative for the domain.

Example: example.com → ns1.example.com

CNAME Record (Canonical Name)

Creates an alias from one domain name to another.

Example: www.example.com → example.com

TXT Record (Text)

Stores text information, commonly used for SPF, DKIM, and domain verification.

Example: "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"

SOA Record (Start of Authority)

Contains administrative information about the domain, including the primary name server and zone serial number.

Explore DNS records for any domain with DNS Timeline.