DNS Records Guide

A

Address Record

Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address.

example.com → 192.0.2.1

Usage: Used to connect a domain to an IPv4 web server.

AAAA

IPv6 Address Record

Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.

example.com → 2001:db8::1

Usage: Used to connect a domain to an IPv6 server.

CNAME

Canonical Name Record

Creates an alias pointing to another domain name.

www.example.com → example.com

Usage: Commonly used for domain aliases and subdomains.

MX

Mail Exchange Record

Specifies the mail servers responsible for receiving email.

example.com → mail.example.com

Usage: Used for email delivery and mail server routing.

TXT

Text Record

Stores text information associated with a domain.

v=spf1 include:example.com ~all

Usage: Used for SPF, DKIM, DMARC and domain verification.

NS

Name Server Record

Identifies the authoritative name servers for a DNS zone.

ns1.example.com

Usage: Used to identify DNS hosting servers.

SOA

Start of Authority Record

Contains administrative information about a DNS zone.

Primary NS, serial, refresh, retry, expire

Usage: Used for DNS zone management and synchronization.

CAA

Certification Authority Authorization

Specifies which certificate authorities may issue certificates for a domain.

0 issue "letsencrypt.org"

Usage: Helps control certificate issuance.

PTR

Pointer Record

Maps an IP address to a hostname.

192.0.2.1 → server.example.com

Usage: Used for reverse DNS lookups.

SRV

Service Record

Specifies the hostname and port for a network service.

_sip._tcp.example.com

Usage: Used by services such as SIP and other network applications.

DS

Delegation Signer Record

Connects DNSSEC information between parent and child zones.

Key tag, algorithm, digest type, digest

Usage: Used in DNSSEC chain of trust.

DNSKEY

DNS Public Key Record

Publishes public keys used for DNSSEC validation.

Flags, protocol, algorithm, public key

Usage: Used to validate signed DNS records.

TLSA

TLS Authentication Record

Associates TLS certificates or public keys with a domain service.

_443._tcp.example.com

Usage: Used with DANE for certificate association.

HTTPS

HTTPS Service Binding Record

Provides connection information for HTTPS services.

example.com HTTPS service parameters

Usage: Can advertise HTTPS endpoints and connection parameters.

SVCB

Service Binding Record

Provides service endpoint and connection configuration information.

example.com SVCB service parameters

Usage: Used for service discovery and connection optimization.