DNS Record Types Guide
Complete reference for DNS record types with examples, syntax, and best practices
Common DNS Record Types
A Record
Address Record
Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address (32-bit). This is the most common DNS record type.
Example
example.com → 192.0.2.1DNS Zone Syntax
example.com. 300 IN A 192.0.2.1Common Usage
Used to point domain names to IPv4 addresses where websites or services are hosted.
Typical TTL
300-3600 seconds (5 minutes to 1 hour)
AAAA Record
IPv6 Address Record
Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address (128-bit). Essential for IPv6 connectivity.
Example
example.com → 2001:db8::1DNS Zone Syntax
example.com. 300 IN AAAA 2001:db8::1Common Usage
Used to point domain names to IPv6 addresses for modern internet infrastructure.
Typical TTL
300-3600 seconds (5 minutes to 1 hour)
CNAME Record
Canonical Name Record
Creates an alias from one domain name to another. Points to another domain rather than an IP.
Example
www.example.com → example.comDNS Zone Syntax
www.example.com. 300 IN CNAME example.com.Common Usage
Used for subdomains, CDN aliases, and service redirections. Cannot coexist with other record types.
Typical TTL
300-86400 seconds (5 minutes to 24 hours)
MX Record
Mail Exchange Record
Specifies mail servers responsible for receiving email for a domain, with priority values.
Example
example.com → 10 mail.example.comDNS Zone Syntax
example.com. 3600 IN MX 10 mail.example.com.Common Usage
Essential for email delivery. Lower priority numbers indicate higher preference.
Typical TTL
3600-86400 seconds (1-24 hours)
NS Record
Name Server Record
Delegates a DNS zone to use the given authoritative name servers.
Example
example.com → ns1.nameserver.comDNS Zone Syntax
example.com. 86400 IN NS ns1.nameserver.com.Common Usage
Defines which DNS servers are authoritative for a domain or subdomain.
Typical TTL
86400-604800 seconds (1-7 days)
TXT Record
Text Record
Stores arbitrary text data. Used for verification, security policies, and configuration.
Example
example.com → "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"DNS Zone Syntax
example.com. 300 IN TXT "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"Common Usage
SPF records, DKIM keys, domain verification, DMARC policies, and other text-based configurations.
Typical TTL
300-3600 seconds (5 minutes to 1 hour)
SOA Record
Start of Authority Record
Contains administrative information about the DNS zone, including serial number and timers.
Example
example.com → ns1.example.com admin.example.com 2024010101...DNS Zone Syntax
example.com. 86400 IN SOA ns1.example.com. admin.example.com. 2024010101 3600 1800 604800 86400Common Usage
Appears at the beginning of every DNS zone. Contains zone transfer and caching parameters.
Typical TTL
86400-604800 seconds (1-7 days)
SRV Record
Service Record
Defines the hostname and port number for specific services within a domain.
Example
_sip._tcp.example.com → 10 5 5060 sip.example.comDNS Zone Syntax
_sip._tcp.example.com. 300 IN SRV 10 5 5060 sip.example.com.Common Usage
Used for service discovery (SIP, XMPP, etc.). Format: priority weight port target.
Typical TTL
300-3600 seconds (5 minutes to 1 hour)
NAPTR Record
Name Authority Pointer Record
Used for complex service discovery and protocol selection, often in telecommunications.
Example
example.com → 100 10 "u" "E2U+sip" "!^.*$!sip:[email protected]!" .DNS Zone Syntax
example.com. 3600 IN NAPTR 100 10 "u" "E2U+sip" "!^.*$!sip:[email protected]!" .Common Usage
Advanced service discovery, ENUM services, and protocol mapping in telecom applications.
Typical TTL
3600-86400 seconds (1-24 hours)
PTR Record
Pointer Record
Used for reverse DNS lookups, mapping IP addresses back to domain names.
Example
1.2.0.192.in-addr.arpa → example.comDNS Zone Syntax
1.2.0.192.in-addr.arpa. 3600 IN PTR example.com.Common Usage
Essential for email servers, security verification, and network troubleshooting.
Typical TTL
3600-86400 seconds (1-24 hours)
DNSSEC & Security Records
Certification Authority Authorization
Specifies which certificate authorities are allowed to issue certificates for the domain.
DNS Key Record
Contains public keys used for DNSSEC validation of the zone.
Delegation Signer
Links a delegated zone to its DNSSEC-signed parent zone.
Resource Record Signature
Contains DNSSEC signature for a set of DNS records with the same name and type.
DNS Record Best Practices
TTL Management
- • Use shorter TTLs (300s) during migrations
- • Longer TTLs (3600s+) for stable records
- • Consider caching implications
Common Pitfalls
- • Don't mix CNAME with other records
- • Always end hostnames with a dot
- • Test changes in staging first
Security Tips
- • Implement DNSSEC when possible
- • Use CAA records for SSL security
- • Monitor DNS changes regularly
Test Your DNS Records
Use our DNS lookup tools to test and validate your DNS records across different record types and global resolvers.