Resolve hostnames with a live dig +trace view

Fast, Free DNS Lookup Online

Quick start: enter a hostname, choose a record type, click Resolve, and review the trace plus final answers. Use the trace when you need to validate delegation or spot a misbehaving nameserver.

This DNS lookup tool is designed for quick, clear answers when you need to understand how a domain resolves on the public internet. Enter a hostname or an IP address, select a record type, and get a live response plus a step-by-step trace from the root to authoritative name servers. The result layout is built for speed: you can see the final answers, the servers that responded, and the timing details in one view without switching between tabs or tools.

Whether you are troubleshooting a misdirected site, verifying new mail records, or checking a name server change before a launch, a reliable DNS lookup is the first step. The trace view helps you confirm that delegation is correct, the parent zone is updated, and the authoritative server is returning the expected answers. If you are diagnosing intermittent failures, the trace timing can help you identify slow or misconfigured DNS hops.

How to use the DNS lookup tool

Start with the exact hostname you want to test, such as www.example.com or api.example.com. Choose the record type that matches your goal, then run the lookup. If you are unsure, begin with an A record for IPv4, an AAAA record for IPv6, or CNAME for an alias. For email, MX and TXT are most common, while NS and SOA help confirm delegation and zone ownership.

Results are split into two sections: the hop-by-hop trace and the final answer table. The trace shows each DNS layer queried in order, including the root, TLD, and authoritative name servers. The answer table presents the record data, TTL, and record type. Comparing these two panels makes it easier to spot where a change is lagging, which server is serving stale data, or which part of the chain is misconfigured.

Record types, simplified

DNS records are small entries that map names to services. Here is a quick guide to the most used records supported by this lookup tool:

• A / AAAA map a hostname to IPv4 or IPv6 addresses. Use these to verify where a site or API resolves.
• CNAME points a name to another canonical name. This is common for CDN and SaaS integrations.
• MX defines mail exchangers that accept email for your domain.
• TXT holds verification records like SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and ownership proofs.
• NS / SOA show the authoritative name servers and zone metadata, which is essential for delegation checks and troubleshooting.

Why the trace view matters

A standard DNS lookup shows only the final answer. A trace shows how the answer was found. This matters when you are diagnosing delegation issues, child zone mismatches, or subtle split-horizon mistakes. With a trace, you can validate that the parent zone points to the correct name servers, the authoritative servers respond quickly, and the answer is consistent across the chain. It is the fastest way to separate a registrar issue from a nameserver issue.

TTL values are another critical signal. A low TTL helps changes propagate faster, while a high TTL improves cache efficiency. If you are preparing for a move, lower the TTL in advance, make the change, then increase it after confirming successful propagation. Always allow enough time for cached resolvers to refresh before declaring a rollout complete.

Common DNS troubleshooting scenarios

Use DNS lookup when websites return the wrong content, SSL certificates do not match, or email fails intermittently. Misconfigured A or CNAME records often lead to 404s or routing to an old host. Incorrect MX records can cause email rejection. A missing or outdated TXT record can break domain verification or email authentication. The lookup and trace tools help you confirm exactly what is live on the public internet.

Another common scenario is verifying a multi-region setup. You might have different answers based on geographic routing, CDN edge behavior, or custom load balancing. While this page focuses on authoritative responses, you can pair it with the DNS propagation checker to see how public resolvers in multiple regions report the same name.

Related network utilities

DNS troubleshooting is often connected to reachability and service health. The navigation links at the top give you quick access to complementary tools: DNS propagation checks for global resolver visibility, port checks to confirm if a service is listening, ping tests for latency and loss, a crontab builder for scheduled monitoring, an SSL converter for certificate maintenance, and a “Check IP” page for quick verification of your public address. Use them together for faster root cause analysis.

Frequently asked questions

Does this DNS lookup tool change any records? No. It only reads public DNS data and reports what authoritative servers return. It does not modify your zone.

Why do I see different answers than my local computer? Your device may be using a cached resolver or a private DNS setup. This tool queries public DNS infrastructure directly, which can reveal differences between cached and authoritative answers.

What if a lookup fails? A failure can mean the record does not exist, the domain is not delegated correctly, or the authoritative server is unreachable. The trace panel will show where the failure occurred, which is often the fastest path to a fix.

This page is optimized to be a practical reference, not just a quick tool. Save it, share it with your team, and use it as a steady baseline when validating DNS changes. Accurate DNS data keeps websites reachable, mail flowing, and services discoverable. A clean lookup and trace is the best first check when something is off.