What is DNS? #

DNS (Domain Name System) is a distributed database on the internet that stores information about domain names, most importantly the IP address each domain points to. In other words, it translates names into the numbers (IP addresses) computers use. See also what a domain name is.

The main DNS records #

A record: points your domain name to the IP address of the server that hosts your website.

NS record: sets the nameservers responsible for your domain’s DNS.

CNAME record: creates an alias for a name. For example, if example.com hosts your website, you can point web.example.com to it with a CNAME.

MX record: routes your email by pointing to your mail server, for example mail.example.com.

TXT record: stores text information, commonly SPF records that stop others from sending fake email that looks like it comes from you, as well as DKIM, DMARC and domain verification records.

URL redirect record: some DNS providers offer this to forward a domain to another website.

Moving your domain or hosting? See how to migrate DNS without downtime.

Related service: Register your domain with Hyyat Host and manage all its DNS records from one control panel.