What Is a DNS Lookup?

DNS or Domain Name System is responsible for converting hostnames (such as freenamemaker.com) to a computer-friendly IP address (164.92.77.110). For easier browsing, end-users enter domain names or URLs in the search bar. A DNS server processes your request to display the website you're looking for, translating the hostname into a respective IP address understandable for the browser.

In simpler words, a DNS lookup is similar to a map or phone book search that the browsers perform to find the addresses of the website you request to see.

Users need to have the proper address to reach specific information or a website. Smart devices, including PCs, laptops, phones, tablets, and TVs, communicate over the web using a series of numbers called IP addresses. Although these devices find them simple to work with, memorizing complex IP numeric addresses isn't exactly desirable for the end-user. That's why DNS resolution converts user-friendly domains into computer-friendly IP addresses, making it easier for users and browsers to search and find what they're looking for.

Forward DNS lookup

A forward DNS lookup involves using an Internet domain name to find an IP address. It is performed by the browser every time you enter a URL inside the address bar. When a URL is entered, the browser transmits the address to a nearby router which performs a forward DNS lookup using a routing table to locate the IP address.

Our DNS lookup tool allows you to perform a forward lookup and enter a user-friendly hostname to get the IP or dot address of the website.

Reverse DNS lookup

Reverse DNS lookups are used much less frequently. They involve providing an IP address to get the domain name of a website. Since users use domain names instead of IP addresses, reverse DNS lookups are much less common.

Email servers often use reverse DNS lookups to identify valid recipients.

What Are DNS Records?

DNS records are mapping files containing instructions used to provide domain-specific information. Our DNS lookup tool fetches the most important DNS records for the domain name you're interested in and displays them in a priority list.

DNS records or zone files are instructions living in authoritative DNS servers. They provide domain information, including the IP address associated with the domain and instructions about handling requests. They consist of a series of text files written in DNS syntax or a string of characters that state commands telling the DNS server what to do.

The most common types of DNS records include A, NS, MX, SOA, and TXT, which are supported by our DNS lookup tool. There are also some less-used DNS record types, including AAAA, CNAME, SRV, and PTR.

DNS Lookup Record Types

Using our DNS query, you can get various DNS record types to help you with your search.

DNS A record

A DNS "A" record is the most fundamental type of DNS record - it indicates the IP address of a specific domain. DNS A records are most frequently used during IP address lookups to match a domain name to an IPv4 address. They allow the user's device to connect to a server and load the website without the end-user having to memorize and type in the actual IP address.

Web browsers automatically translate domain names into IPv4 addresses by sending a query to a DNS resolver.

The DNS A record for freenamemaker.com is 164.92.77.110.

DNS NS record

An "NS" or a "nameserver" record indicates which DNS server is authoritative for a specific domain, telling you which server contains the actual DNS records. What NS records do is tell the browser where it can find the domain's IP address. Many domain names have several NS records relating to primary and secondary nameservers for the specific domain. Without a properly configured NS record, you wouldn't be able to load a website or web application.

NS or nameserver record holds all DNS records, such as A, MX, and CNAME records. Most domains are distributed across multiple nameservers for better reliability. When one nameserver is down, the DNS queries are redirected to another.

The DNS NS records for freenamemaker.com are https://dns1.registrar-servers.com and https://dns2.registrar-servers.com.

DNS MX record

A DNS "MX" or "mail exchange" record directs email traffic to a mail server. According to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, these records dictate how email messages need to be routed. An MX record always points to another domain.

Querying MX records is performed by a message transfer agent software or MTA. When a user sends an email, the MTA sends a DNS query, identifying the mail servers for the recipient. It established an SMTP connection, starting with prioritized domains.

The DNS MX records for freenamemaker.com are from eforward1.registrar-servers.com to eforward5.registrar-servers.com.

DNS SOA record

A DNS "SOA" or "start of authority" record stores a set of important information about a domain or zone. In the SOA record, you'll find administrator email addresses, the last update date, and server waiting times between refreshes.

SOA records comprise several parts.

  • The RNAME field represents the administrator's email address (without the @)
  • MNAME is the name of the primary name-server for the specific zone
  • REFRESH states the length of time that secondary servers need to wait before asking for the primary servers for the SOA record
  • RETRY is the length of time the server needs to wait before asking for an update from the unresponsive primary nameserver
  • EXPIRE is the amount of time the secondary needs to wait for a response from the primary server before it stops responding to queries for the zone

For example, the RNAME for freenamemaker.com is hostmaster.registrar-servers.com, REFRESH is 43200, and EXPIRE is 604800.

DNS TXT record

The DNS "TXT" or "text" record allows the domain administrator to enter text into the domain name system. The specific type of record was initially a place for human-readable notes but is often used for saving machine-readable data into TXT records. A single domain can have several TXT records with all types of messages inside.

The most important uses for these DNS records are spam prevention and domain ownership verification. In a TXT record, you can find text strings - any text the administrator wants to be associated with the domain. Most DNS servers limit the size and quantity of TXT records, so they cannot be used for large amounts of data.

The DNS TXT record for freenamemaker.com is 'v=spf1 include:spf.efwd.registrar-servers.com ~all'.

How It Works

Performing a DNS query is made entirely simple with the help of Free Name Maker's DNS lookup tool. All you need to do is paste the domain name you want to look up into the input field, and hit QUERY. There's no need to select the specific DNS record you wish to review, as the tool will prompt you with a list of all available DNS records.

With a single button press, you'll get several DNS records, their TTL (time to live), classes, and the record's value.