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To check a domain’s DNS, query the domain name together with the record type you need. For example, dig example.com A asks for IPv4 addresses, while dig example.com MX asks where mail is delivered. A lookup shows the answer returned by one resolver at that moment; it is not necessarily a complete export of every record configured for the domain.
For a reliable diagnosis, record the name, type, returned value, resolver, and TTL. If a recent change is missing or two tools disagree, compare a recursive resolver’s answer with the domain’s authoritative name server.
What a DNS lookup actually tells you
A DNS lookup is a query for a name and a record type. The resolver returns records containing a type, name, content or value, and TTL. The type determines how the value should be interpreted. TTL indicates how long resolvers may cache that answer before checking again.
The result is therefore a time- and resolver-specific view. An online checker may display several common types, but a targeted query is clearer because it states exactly what you asked for. A lookup observes DNS; it does not edit the zone. Adding or changing records requires access to the DNS management service hosting the domain’s zone.
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Choose the record type that matches your question
| Type | What it contains | Use it when you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| A | IPv4 address mapping | Which IPv4 address a host name resolves to |
| AAAA | IPv6 address mapping | Which IPv6 address a host name resolves to |
| CNAME | An alias to another canonical name | Whether a host name points elsewhere before resolving to an address |
| MX | Mail-exchange destinations | Which servers receive mail for the domain |
| NS | Name servers | Which servers are authoritative for the domain |
| TXT | Arbitrary text strings | Whether verification or email-authentication data is published |
| SOA | Zone-authority information | Which server is listed as primary authority and what zone timing data is published |
| SRV | Service target and port information | Where a named service is located and which port it uses |
| SPF | Deprecated record type | Do not look for modern SPF as a separate type; current SPF policy is normally stored in a TXT record beginning with v=spf1 |
A single name can legitimately have multiple records of the same type. For example, a domain may publish more than one A, AAAA, MX, or TXT value. Treat the complete answer set—not just the first line—as the result.
Check records in a browser
Use a general DNS lookup page
For a quick inspection, enter the domain in a browser-based lookup such as dns.google or the Dig Web Interface. Cloudflare lists both among recommended third-party tools. Select the exact type you need rather than relying only on an “all records” view.
- Enter the fully qualified name. Use the host name itself for a website, or the domain apex when checking the domain’s mail or name-server records.
- Select A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, NS, TXT, SOA, or SRV according to the question.
- Copy the returned value, TTL, and the resolver or location shown by the tool.
- Repeat the query with another resolver if the answer conflicts with a recent change.
Browser tools are convenient for a first look, but their presentation can hide which resolver answered or combine several queries. For troubleshooting, a type-specific terminal query gives you a reproducible command.
Check records with dig
Basic type-specific commands
dig is available on most Linux and macOS systems and can be installed through the operating system’s package manager on other platforms. Run one command per record type:
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dig example.com A
dig example.com AAAA
dig example.com CNAME
dig example.com MX
dig example.com NS
dig example.com TXT
dig example.com SOA
dig example.com SRVReplace example.com with the name you are investigating. The answer section shows returned records; the TTL appears alongside each answer. An empty answer for one type does not mean the name has no DNS data—it may simply use another type, such as CNAME instead of A.
Ask a different recursive resolver
Resolvers can have different cached answers during a change. To compare two public recursive resolvers, run the same query against each one:
dig @8.8.8.8 example.com A
dig @1.1.1.1 example.com AUse the same record type and name in both commands. Save the returned value and TTL with the resolver address; otherwise, a later comparison is hard to interpret.
Query the authoritative name server
First discover the authoritative servers:
dig example.com NSThen query one of the names returned by that command directly. For example, if the answer lists ns1.provider.example:
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dig @ns1.provider.example example.com AThe authoritative response represents the published zone data at that server, while a recursive response may still be serving a cached value. Comparing the two helps distinguish an unapplied change from normal cache delay.
How to interpret TTL and conflicting answers
TTL explains many “wrong” results
When a resolver receives an answer, it may cache it until the TTL expires. If you edit a record, a resolver that cached the previous value can continue returning it until revalidation. That is why your DNS control panel, an authoritative query, and a browser tool can temporarily show different values.
Use a repeatable comparison
- Query exactly the same name and record type each time.
- Write down the resolver used, returned value, and TTL.
- Query an authoritative name server as well as at least one recursive resolver.
- Repeat after the observed TTL period rather than treating one old cached response as proof that the new record is absent.
Do not compare an A answer from one tool with an AAAA or CNAME answer from another and call that a DNS inconsistency. The record type is the first diagnostic axis.
Practical checks for common DNS problems
The website works, but the A query is empty
Check whether the host uses AAAA or CNAME instead. Query the exact host name users visit, not only the domain apex. If it is a CNAME, follow the canonical name with another query to see where it ultimately resolves.
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Mail is failing
Query MX for the domain used in the email address. A website’s A record does not identify mail servers. If MX values look unexpected, compare them with the authoritative response and inspect the TTL before changing anything.
A verification token is not detected
Query TXT at the exact name requested by the verification provider. Verification data is often published on a host name rather than at the apex. If the value is missing from a recursive response, compare an authoritative query to determine whether the issue is publication or caching.
Name-server answers differ
Query NS and then ask each listed authoritative server for the same record. If authoritative servers do not agree, the zone may not be synchronized at the DNS provider. If they agree but recursive resolvers differ, caching is the more likely explanation.
You need to change a record
A lookup tool cannot make edits. Sign in to the DNS manager responsible for the domain’s zone; the correct panel depends on where DNS is hosted or delegated. After saving a change, verify it at the authoritative server first, then monitor recursive answers as caches expire.
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Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API, not a DNS lookup service. After you have verified DNS and want to confirm what the live site renders, it can capture the page with one request. Before capture it accepts cookie or consent banners and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each step can be disabled. Bot checks or CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and the response identifies the page verdict and billing status. Its MCP server lets Claude, Cursor, or another MCP client call take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf.
See the ScreenshotNeo documentation for all options. A basic capture of the site you just checked is:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://example.com -o shot.webpThe same request in Python:
import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://example.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)And in Node.js:
const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://example.com' });
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DNS lookup checklist
- Define the question: address, alias, mail, authority, verification text, or service location.
- Query the matching record type and the exact host name.
- Capture the returned value, resolver, and TTL.
- For a recent edit, query an authoritative name server.
- Compare recursive answers only after accounting for cache duration.
- Use the DNS management provider—not a lookup page—to make changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check a subdomain separately from its parent domain?
Yes. Query the complete host name, such as app.example.com, because its A, AAAA, CNAME, TXT, or other records can differ from those at example.com.
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DNS permits multiple values for a type. Review the entire answer set and preserve each value when comparing resolvers or validating a configuration.
What should I record when reporting a DNS problem to a provider?
Include the exact name, record type, returned value, resolver used, TTL, and the time of the query. Those details let support distinguish a zone issue from cached data.
Quick Recap
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