Forward DNS Lookup

Resolve any domain name to its DNS records - A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and NS records in one lookup.

What Is Forward DNS?

Forward DNS (Domain Name System) resolves a domain name like example.com into its associated IP addresses and other DNS records. Every time you type a URL into your browser, a forward DNS lookup translates the human-readable domain into the machine-readable IP address your device needs to connect.

DNS Record Types Explained

A Record: Maps a domain to an IPv4 address.
AAAA Record: Maps a domain to an IPv6 address.
CNAME: Points one domain name to another (alias).
MX Record: Specifies the mail server responsible for receiving email.
TXT Record: Holds verification and policy data such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
NS Record: Lists the authoritative nameservers for the domain.

Common Use Cases

Verifying DNS propagation after making changes to your domain records.
Diagnosing email delivery problems by checking MX, SPF, and DKIM records.
Confirming nameserver delegation after a domain transfer.
Auditing TXT records for security misconfigurations.

Related Tools & Guides

Reverse DNS Lookup - find the hostname associated with an IP address using PTR records.
DNS Leak Test - check if your DNS queries leak outside your VPN tunnel.
IP Lookup - view geolocation and ASN data for any IP address.
How to Prevent DNS Leaks - step-by-step VPN configuration for DNS privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between forward and reverse DNS?

Forward DNS converts a domain name into an IP address (A/AAAA records). Reverse DNS does the opposite: it converts an IP address back into a hostname using PTR records.

How long does DNS propagation take?

DNS changes typically propagate within 1-48 hours depending on the TTL (Time To Live) value set on the record. Lower TTL values propagate faster. You can use this tool to check whether your changes are live.

Why is my domain not resolving?

Common causes include incorrect nameserver delegation, expired domain registration, missing A/AAAA records, or DNS propagation delays. Use this tool to check which records are currently active for your domain.