DNS record types
A domain is only a list of records. Knowing which record does what turns most "the website is broken" problems into a two-minute fix.
A record
Maps a hostname to an IPv4 address. The most fundamental record on the internet: without it, a name points nowhere.…
AAAA record
Maps a hostname to an IPv6 address. Named for being four times the size of an A record.…
CNAME record
Points one name at another name rather than at an address. The resolver then looks up the target.…
MX record
Names the mail servers that accept email for a domain, with a priority number — lowest is tried first.…
TXT record
Free-form text attached to a name. In practice it carries SPF, DMARC, DKIM keys and domain-ownership verification tokens…
NS record
Names the authoritative nameservers for a zone. Everything else depends on these being right.…
SOA record
The "start of authority" for a zone: primary nameserver, administrative contact, serial number and the timers that gover…
CAA record
Declares which certificate authorities are allowed to issue certificates for the domain. Authorities are required to che…
PTR record
Reverse DNS: maps an IP address back to a hostname. It lives in the address owner's zone, not yours, so your hosting pro…
SRV record
Advertises the host and port for a specific service, letting clients discover where a protocol lives without hard-coded …
Read a domain's real records
Every type, with TTLs, straight from the authoritative nameservers.