The Complete Guide to DNS Records¶
DNS (Domain Name System) is the address book of the internet. When someone types your domain into their browser, DNS looks up the records and sends them to the right place. This guide explains the most common DNS records and what they do.
In short: DNS records are instructions that tell the internet where your website, email, and other services live. You'll mostly touch them to point a domain or verify something.
The records you'll use most¶
A Record¶
The A record points your domain (or a subdomain) to an IP address — the address of the server where your website lives. It's the most fundamental record.
yourbusiness.com→192.0.2.1(your web server)
CNAME Record¶
A CNAME points your domain to another domain name instead of an IP address. Common for pointing a subdomain to a service.
www.yourbusiness.com→yourbusiness.comblog.yourbusiness.com→yourhostingprovider.com
MX Record¶
The MX record tells the internet where to deliver email for your domain. It points to your mail server. This is essential for email to work.
yourbusiness.com→ mail server (with a priority number)
TXT Record¶
A TXT record stores text information. It's used for many things, including SPF and DKIM (which help your email avoid spam) and domain verification.
yourbusiness.com→ "v=spf1 ..." (SPF)- A verification string from a service you're using
NS Record¶
The NS record (nameserver) tells the internet which DNS servers are "authoritative" for your domain — the servers that answer for it. See Nameservers explained.
A quick reference table¶
| Record | What it does | Example use |
|---|---|---|
| A | Points to an IP address | Your website's server |
| CNAME | Points to another domain | A subdomain like www |
| MX | Directs email | Where email for your domain goes |
| TXT | Stores text | SPF, DKIM, verification |
| NS | Nameservers | Which DNS servers answer for you |
Where to manage your DNS records¶
You manage DNS records in your control panel (for domains hosted with us) or at your registrar (where you bought the domain). See Manage DNS records for the step-by-step.
Why DNS matters¶
- Get your site live — point your A record at your hosting. See Point your domain.
- Make email work — set your MX and TXT (SPF/DKIM/DMARC) records. See Email deliverability.
- Avoid downtime — correct DNS means visitors reach you, not a dead end.
DNS changes can take a little time. When you change a record, it can take a few minutes to a few hours to spread across the internet (called "propagation"). That's normal.