DNS Record Types
The 10 DNS record types you need to know — with syntax, examples, and gotchas. Built on top of the free Enterno.io DNS Lookup tool.
A
Address Record (IPv4)
An A record maps a domain name to an IPv4 address (32 bits). The most basic and common DNS record.…
AAAA
IPv6 Address Record
AAAA ("quad-A") is the IPv6 equivalent of A. Maps a domain to a 128-bit IPv6 address.…
CNAME
Canonical Name Record
CNAME creates an alias: name A points to name B (not to an IP). Whatever B resolves to applies to A.…
MX
Mail Exchanger Record
MX specifies which server accepts email for a domain. Has a priority — lower number = higher priority.…
TXT
Text Record
TXT holds arbitrary text. In practice used for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and domain verification.…
NS
Name Server Record
NS indicates which servers are authoritative for the domain.…
SOA
Start of Authority Record
SOA is a mandatory record describing zone parameters: serial, refresh, retry, expire, minimum TTL.…
CAA
Certification Authority Authorization
CAA specifies which Certificate Authorities are allowed to issue TLS certificates for the domain.…
SRV
Service Locator
SRV points to a hostname and port for a specific service. Used by XMPP, SIP, Minecraft, Matrix.…
PTR
Pointer Record (Reverse DNS)
PTR implements reverse DNS: returns a hostname for an IP address. Lives in the in-addr.arpa (IPv4) / ip6.arpa …