DNS Record Types Guide
Complete reference guide for all DNS record types with examples and explanations.
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DNS Record Overview
Address Record
Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address (32-bit).
example.com → 192.0.2.1Point your domain to a web server's IPv4 address. Required for websites.
IPv6 Address Record
Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address (128-bit).
example.com → 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334Point your domain to a server's IPv6 address. Important for IPv6 compatibility.
Canonical Name Record
Creates an alias from one domain to another domain.
www.example.com → example.comCreate subdomains that point to your main domain. Cannot be used on root domain.
Mail Exchange Record
Specifies mail servers responsible for receiving email for the domain.
example.com MX 10 mail.example.comConfigure email routing. Lower priority numbers are preferred.
Text Record
Stores arbitrary text data, commonly used for verification and policies.
example.com TXT "v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all"Domain verification, SPF/DKIM/DMARC email auth, site ownership proof.
Name Server Record
Specifies authoritative name servers for the domain.
example.com NS ns1.example.comDelegate DNS management to specific name servers. Set by domain registrar.
Start of Authority Record
Contains administrative information about the DNS zone.
example.com SOA ns1.example.com admin.example.com ...First record in every DNS zone. Defines primary nameserver and zone parameters.
Service Record
Specifies location of services (hostname and port number).
_sip._tcp.example.com SRV 10 60 5060 sipserver.example.comService discovery for protocols like SIP, XMPP, LDAP. Used by applications.
Certification Authority Authorization
Specifies which certificate authorities can issue SSL certificates.
example.com CAA 0 issue "letsencrypt.org"Security: restrict which CAs can issue certificates for your domain.
Pointer Record
Maps an IP address to a domain name (reverse DNS).
1.2.0.192.in-addr.arpa PTR example.comReverse DNS lookups. Required for mail servers to pass spam filters.
Sender Policy Framework
Defines which mail servers can send email on behalf of your domain.
example.com TXT "v=spf1 ip4:192.0.2.0/24 -all"Email authentication. Prevents email spoofing. Now uses TXT records.
DomainKeys Identified Mail
Cryptographic signature for email authentication.
selector._domainkey.example.com TXT "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=..."Email authentication. Verifies email wasn't altered in transit.
Domain-based Message Authentication
Email authentication policy and reporting protocol.
_dmarc.example.com TXT "v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:..."Email authentication policy. Works with SPF and DKIM.
ALIAS Record
Like CNAME but can be used on root domain (not standard DNS).
example.com ALIAS cdn.example.comPoint root domain to another domain. Provider-specific (Cloudflare, DNSimple).
Delegation Signer
Used in DNSSEC to establish chain of trust.
example.com DS 12345 8 2 ABC123...DNSSEC implementation. Published at parent zone.
DNS Public Key
Holds public keys used in DNSSEC.
example.com DNSKEY 256 3 8 AwEAAb...DNSSEC: verify DNS responses haven't been tampered with.
Naming Authority Pointer
Used for complex rewriting rules and regex-based DNS mapping.
example.com NAPTR 100 10 "u" "E2U+sip" ...Advanced routing for ENUM, SIP, and telecom applications.
Host Information
Provides information about the host hardware and OS.
example.com HINFO "INTEL-386" "LINUX"Rarely used. Can expose server info. Often disabled for security.
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How to Use the DNS Record Types Guide
This DNS record types reference guide helps developers, system administrators, and website owners understand the different types of DNS records and their purposes. Use the search bar to quickly find specific record types, or browse the complete list of common and advanced DNS records.
Each record type includes a detailed explanation of what it does, when to use it, the format it follows, and practical examples. For instance, A records point domains to IPv4 addresses, MX records configure email routing with priority values, TXT records store verification strings and SPF policies, and CNAME records create domain aliases.
The guide covers essential records like A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and NS that every domain needs, plus advanced records like SRV (for service discovery), CAA (for certificate authority authorization), DNSKEY (for DNSSEC), PTR (for reverse DNS), and more. Each record includes its RFC reference number and common use cases.
Understanding DNS records is crucial for configuring domains, setting up email servers, implementing security policies, and troubleshooting connectivity issues. Use this guide when configuring DNS zones, debugging DNS problems, or learning how the Domain Name System works. All information is current with modern DNS standards and best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DNS record?
A DNS (Domain Name System) record is an entry in a DNS zone file that maps domain names to IP addresses and provides other information about the domain. DNS records tell the internet how to route traffic and find resources associated with your domain.
What's the difference between A and CNAME records?
An A record maps a domain to an IP address (like example.com → 192.0.2.1), while a CNAME record creates an alias pointing to another domain (like www.example.com → example.com). Use A records for the root domain and CNAME for subdomains.
How do MX records work for email?
MX (Mail Exchange) records specify which mail servers handle email for your domain. They include a priority number — lower numbers have higher priority. For example, 'example.com MX 10 mail.example.com' tells email servers to deliver mail to mail.example.com.
What are TXT records used for?
TXT records store text information and are commonly used for domain verification (proving you own the domain), email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), site verification (Google, Bing), and other configuration data. They're one of the most versatile DNS record types.
When should I use AAAA records instead of A records?
AAAA records are for IPv6 addresses (128-bit), while A records are for IPv4 addresses (32-bit). As the internet transitions to IPv6, configure both record types so your site works for all users. AAAA records look like '2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334'.
How long do DNS changes take to propagate?
DNS propagation depends on the TTL (Time To Live) value in your records. Typical TTLs range from 300 seconds (5 minutes) to 86400 seconds (24 hours). Lower TTLs mean faster propagation but more frequent DNS queries. Changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate globally.