DNS Records

A DNS record contains instructions that provide information about a domain, such as its IP address and how to handle requests. These records are written in DNS syntax and have a TTL, which determines how often a DNS server refreshes the record. Domains must have at least a few essential DNS records for users to access their website using a domain name, and there are also optional records that serve additional purposes.

The few of the most common types of DNS records include the A record, which holds the IP address of a domain; the CNAME record, which forwards one domain or subdomain to another domain; and the MX record, which directs mail to an email server. Other common types include the TXT record for storing text notes, the SOA record for storing admin information, and the PTR record for providing a domain name in reverse lookups.

There are also many less commonly used DNS records, including the AFSDB record, which is used for clients of the Andrew File System; the CAA record, which allows domain owners to state which certificate authorities can issue certificates for that domain; and the SSHFP record, which stores SSH public key fingerprints. Other types include RP record, which stores the email address of the person responsible for the domain, the DNAME record for creating domain aliases; and the LOC record for containing geographical information for a domain.

Looking to learn more? We suggest heading over to Cloudflare’s Learning Center for an in-depth look at DNS records.