DNS Lookup
Query DNS records for any domain
About the DNS Lookup
Every domain name relies on DNS records to point traffic to the right place — web servers, mail servers, verification strings, and more. The DNS Lookup tool queries those records for any domain and shows you what is actually published, grouped by record type.
It is a staple for anyone managing domains: verifying that an A record points to the new server after a migration, confirming MX records are set before email goes live, or checking the TXT records that hold SPF and domain-verification strings. You can request several record types in a single lookup and see them side by side.
Lookups are resolved through Google's public DNS service over a secure HTTPS query, so the domain you enter is sent to Google to be resolved — worth knowing if you are checking something confidential.
How to Use the DNS Lookup
- Enter the domain name you want to inspect (for example, example.com).
- Select one or more record types to query — A, AAAA, MX, TXT, NS, CNAME, or SOA.
- Click Lookup.
- Read the results grouped under each record type, with "No records found" shown where a type is empty.
- Use the per-type copy button to grab a record's values, and check the query time displayed at the top.
Why Use ToolForge’s DNS Lookup
- You can query seven record types — A, AAAA, MX, TXT, NS, CNAME, and SOA — and select several at once for a combined view in one lookup.
- Results are resolved through Google Public DNS, a fast, widely trusted resolver, rather than whatever your local network happens to cache.
- Each record type has its own copy button, so pulling a single TXT or MX value into a config or ticket is one click.
- It runs in any browser with no install, and reports the query time so you can gauge resolver responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the different DNS record types mean?
A and AAAA records map a domain to IPv4 and IPv6 addresses; MX records direct email to mail servers; TXT records hold arbitrary text such as SPF and verification strings; NS records list the authoritative name servers; CNAME records alias one name to another; and SOA records carry administrative details about the zone.
Is the domain I look up kept private?
The lookup is performed by querying Google Public DNS over HTTPS, so the domain name you enter is sent to Google's resolver to be answered. The tool itself does not store your queries, but the request does leave your browser to reach the DNS service.
Why don't I see any records for a type I expected?
A "No records found" result usually means that record type simply is not published for the domain — for example, a domain with no email service may have no MX records. It can also reflect recent changes that have not propagated yet.
Why might these results differ from my own computer's DNS?
Your device or network may be caching older records or using a different resolver. This tool queries Google Public DNS directly, which can reflect a more current or simply different answer than your local cache during propagation.
