The Tool Desk
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What is Cloudflare 1.1.1.1?
DNS is the internet’s naming system. When you visit a website, your device asks a resolver supplied by your router, internet provider, or operating system to find the site’s IP address. Cloudflare provides a public alternative that is free and available on all plans.
The standard resolver and optional filtering addresses are:
| Use | IPv4 | IPv6 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard DNS | 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 | 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001 |
| Block malware | 1.1.1.2 and 1.0.0.2 | 2606:4700:4700::1112 and 2606:4700:4700::1002 |
| Block malware and adult content | 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3 | 2606:4700:4700::1113 and 2606:4700:4700::1003 |
The filtering options are known as 1.1.1.1 for Families. When it blocks a malicious domain, Cloudflare returns 0.0.0.0 instead of the domain’s real address. Source: Cloudflare DNS setup documentation.
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1.1.1.1 is not a VPN
Changing your DNS resolver affects DNS lookups only. It does not hide the IP address websites see, encrypt ordinary web traffic, or make you appear to be in another country.
Cloudflare’s current WARP terminology distinguishes these modes:
- DNS only: encrypts DNS queries but does not tunnel the rest of the device’s traffic. This mode was formerly called “1.1.1.1.”
- Traffic and DNS: tunnels device traffic and encrypts DNS. This mode was formerly called “1.1.1.1 with WARP.”
- Traffic only: tunnels device traffic while leaving DNS resolution to the operating system.
WARP does not provide anonymity and is not designed to spoof your geographic location. Source: Cloudflare WARP modes.
Set up 1.1.1.1 on Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings.
- Under Network and Internet, select the connection to configure, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
- Find DNS server assignment and select Edit.
- Change Automatic (DHCP) to Manual.
- Turn on IPv4 and enter 1.1.1.1 as the preferred DNS server and 1.0.0.1 as the alternate server.
- If IPv6 is active on your network, turn on IPv6 and enter 2606:4700:4700::1111 as preferred and 2606:4700:4700::1001 as alternate.
- Select Save.
Set up 1.1.1.1 on Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings.
- Go to Network and Internet > Change Adapter Options.
- Right-click the active Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then select Properties.
- Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Enter 1.1.1.1 for preferred and 1.0.0.1 for alternate DNS, then select OK.
- Back in adapter properties, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), then select Properties.
- Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Enter 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001, then select OK.
Windows captive-portal problem
Static DNS settings can prevent a public Wi-Fi captive portal from working. If a hotel, airport, café, or similar network will not show its sign-in page, remove the static DNS addresses or disable the 1.1.1.1 app temporarily, connect and sign in, then restore the settings or re-enable the app. Source: Cloudflare Windows setup documentation.
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The consumer app is called 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet. It is separate from the Cloudflare One Client, which is for Zero Trust deployments.
- Install 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet from Google Play.
- Open the app and accept the Terms of Service.
- Tap the WARP button and approve installation of the VPN profile requested by Android.
- Wait for the button to show Connected.
The app uses WARP mode by default, which tunnels device traffic rather than operating only as a DNS-encryption switch. Source: Cloudflare Android setup documentation.
Change Android to DNS-only mode
- Open the app and tap the WARP button.
- Choose Switch to DNS only mode.
- If the toggle is disconnected, tap the menu button.
- Select 1.1.1.1 instead of WARP.
Enable Families filtering in Android
- Open the app and tap the menu button.
- Go to Advanced > Connection options.
- Under DNS settings > 1.1.1.1 for Families, choose the filtering option you want.
Use Android Private DNS instead
Android 9 and later can encrypt DNS using DNS-over-TLS without the Cloudflare app. Private DNS applies across Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
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- Open Settings > Network & internet.
- Select Advanced > Private DNS.
- Choose Private DNS provider hostname.
- Enter one.one.one.one and select Save.
For Families, use security.cloudflare-dns.com to block malware, or family.cloudflare-dns.com to block malware and adult content. Source: Cloudflare Android DNS setup.
Use the 1.1.1.1 app on iPhone or iPad
- Install 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet from the App Store.
- Open it and accept the Terms of Service.
- Approve installation of the VPN profile requested by iOS.
- Tap the WARP button and wait until it shows Connected.
To use DNS encryption without the WARP traffic tunnel, open the app, tap the WARP button, and choose Switch to DNS only mode. If the app is disconnected, open the menu, select 1.1.1.1, and tap Done.
For filtering, open the menu and go to Advanced > Connection options > DNS settings > 1.1.1.1 for Families, then choose the filtering level. Source: Cloudflare iOS setup documentation.
Configure WARP on Windows or macOS
The desktop client’s two principal modes are WARP, which encrypts all traffic leaving the computer including DNS, and 1.1.1.1, which encrypts only DNS traffic to the resolver. WARP is the default mode.
- Select the WARP app icon.
- Select the cog icon.
- Choose the preferred mode.
For additional settings, select WARP app icon > cog icon > Preferences, then use the Connection tab. Options include disabling the client for all Wi-Fi or wired networks, choosing a DNS protocol, and enabling 1.1.1.1 for Families. DNS protocol choices include WARP, HTTPS, and TLS, depending on the selected mode. Sources: Windows and macOS.
Enable Cloudflare DNS in a browser
Browser secure-DNS settings affect lookups made by that browser; they do not necessarily change DNS used by other apps on the device.
Firefox
- Open Menu > Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to Enable secure DNS using.
- Choose Increased Protection or Max Protection.
- If required, select Cloudflare under Choose Provider.
Chrome
- Open Menu > Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security > Security.
- Enable Use secure DNS, select With, then choose Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
Microsoft Edge
- Open Menu > Settings.
- Select Privacy, Search, and Services.
- Under Security, enable Use secure DNS.
- Select Choose a service provider, open Enter custom provider, and choose Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
Brave
- Open Menu > Settings.
- Go to Privacy and security > Security.
- Under Advanced, enable Use secure DNS.
- In Select DNS provider, choose Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
Source for browser paths: Cloudflare browser encrypted-DNS instructions.
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Use encrypted DNS manually
DNS-over-HTTPS
DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) sends DNS queries over HTTPS, normally on port 443. Cloudflare’s standard endpoint is https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query. For Families, use https://security.cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query to block malware or https://family.cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query to block malware and adult content. DoH supports HTTP, HTTP/2, and HTTP/3. Browser settings are usually simpler than entering an endpoint manually. Source: Cloudflare DoH documentation.
DNS-over-TLS
DNS-over-TLS (DoT) uses TCP port 853. Its hostname is one.one.one.one; supported resolver addresses include 1.1.1.1:853, 1.0.0.1:853, 2606:4700:4700::1111:853, and 2606:4700:4700::1001:853. Families hostnames are security.cloudflare-dns.com and family.cloudflare-dns.com. Source: Cloudflare DoT documentation.
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Visit 1.1.1.1/help. If browser DoH is active, the result should include Using DNS over HTTPS (DoH): Yes.
To compare resolvers on Linux or macOS, run:
dig example.com @1.1.1.1
dig example.com @1.0.0.1
dig example.com @8.8.8.8
To identify the Cloudflare resolver handling a query, run:
dig +short CHAOS TXT id.server @1.1.1.1
dig +short CHAOS TXT id.server @1.0.0.1
On Windows, use:
nslookup example.com 1.1.1.1
nslookup example.com 1.0.0.1
nslookup example.com 8.8.8.8
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Resolver-identification commands are:
nslookup -class=chaos -type=txt id.server 1.1.1.1
nslookup -class=chaos -type=txt id.server 1.0.0.1
Source: Cloudflare troubleshooting documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot connection problems
Compare resolvers first
If lookups fail, compare 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1, and another resolver such as 8.8.8.8. If only one Cloudflare address fails, the issue may be temporary routing or a path-specific fault. If all resolvers fail, investigate the local network, router, or internet connection.
Test the route
If both Cloudflare addresses time out, test the path to each with traceroute on Linux or macOS, or tracert on Windows. A failure at the first hop commonly points to the router or local hardware. Some routers have a hardcoded route for 1.1.1.1, which conflicts with using that address as a DNS resolver.
Test encrypted protocols
For DoT, TCP port 853 must be reachable. On Linux or macOS, test it with:
openssl s_client -connect 1.1.1.1:853
openssl s_client -connect 1.0.0.1:853
Windows does not include a standalone built-in DoT client; testing DoT there requires installing OpenSSL manually.
For DoH, run:
curl -H ‘accept: application/dns-json’ ‘https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query?name=cloudflare.com&type=AAAA’
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In Windows PowerShell, use:
(Invoke-WebRequest -Uri ‘https://cloudflare-dns.com/dns-query?name=cloudflare.com&type=AAAA’).RawContent
Cloudflare’s DoH JSON API is not a stable schema: Cloudflare began rolling out breaking changes to its data field on July 28, 2026. For stable machine-readable use, Cloudflare recommends DoH wireformat. Avoid relying on the JSON format as a permanent schema. Source: Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 changelog.
Important limitations
- Standard 1.1.1.1 changes DNS resolution; it does not make all internet traffic private. Use WARP if you specifically want Cloudflare’s device-traffic tunnel.
- WARP does not provide anonymity or geographic-location spoofing.
- Cloudflare’s resolver does not support the DNS ANY query type; it returns NOTIMPL. Source: Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 FAQ.
- Cloudflare says normal 1.1.1.1 upstream queries do not include the client IP through EDNS Client Subnet, apart from the documented Akamai debug domain exception. The resolver validates DNSSEC. Source: Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 FAQ.
Which setup should you choose?
| Goal | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| Change DNS for a computer | Set the network DNS servers to 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1; configure the IPv6 pair if IPv6 is active. |
| Encrypt DNS on Android across Wi-Fi and cellular | Android Private DNS with one.one.one.one. |
| Encrypt DNS in one browser | Enable that browser’s secure-DNS setting and select Cloudflare. |
| Block malware or adult content | Use the 1.1.1.1 for Families addresses, app option, or hostnames. |
| Tunnel device traffic | Use WARP mode in the 1.1.1.1 app or desktop client. |
FAQ
Is Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 free?
Yes. Cloudflare’s public 1.1.1.1 resolver is free and available on all plans. Source: Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 documentation.
Does 1.1.1.1 hide my IP address?
No. Standard 1.1.1.1 changes DNS resolution only. It does not hide your public IP address or tunnel general internet traffic.
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What is the difference between 1.1.1.1 and WARP?
DNS-only mode encrypts DNS queries. WARP can tunnel device traffic, and Traffic and DNS also encrypts DNS. WARP is not an anonymity or location-spoofing service.
Which Cloudflare DNS address blocks malware?
Use 1.1.1.2 and 1.0.0.2 for IPv4, or 2606:4700:4700::1112 and 2606:4700:4700::1002 for IPv6.
Which Cloudflare DNS address blocks adult content too?
Use 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3 for IPv4, or 2606:4700:4700::1113 and 2606:4700:4700::1003 for IPv6.
Why does public Wi-Fi stop working after I set 1.1.1.1?
Static DNS can interfere with a captive portal. Remove the static DNS entries or disable the app temporarily, connect and sign in to Wi-Fi, then restore the configuration.
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How can I confirm that Cloudflare DNS is being used?
Visit 1.1.1.1/help, or query the resolver directly with dig on Linux or macOS, or nslookup on Windows. Browser DoH should report “Using DNS over HTTPS (DoH): Yes” when active.
The Bottom Line
For a simple device-wide DNS change, use 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1, and configure the IPv6 pair if your network uses IPv6. For encrypted DNS on Android, use Private DNS with one.one.one.one; for one browser, enable its secure-DNS setting. Use WARP mode only when you want Cloudflare to tunnel device traffic, not for anonymity or location spoofing.
Quick Recap
Reference: Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 documentation.
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