DNS Record Types & Configuration Directory
Developer guide to DNS record types (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, CAA, NS). Inspect zone file syntax, copy dig / nslookup terminal commands, and review configuration best practices.
A Record (IPv4 Address)
Maps a human-readable domain name directly to a 32-bit IPv4 address (e.g. 192.0.2.1).
AAAA Record (IPv6 Address / Quad-A)
Maps a domain name to a 128-bit IPv6 address (e.g. 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
CNAME Record (Canonical Name / Alias)
Creates an alias pointing one domain or subdomain to another domain name.
ALIAS / ANAME Record (Virtual Apex CNAME)
A virtual DNS record that allows CNAME-like behavior at the root domain apex without violating RFC 1035.
MX Record (Mail Exchange)
Specifies the mail servers responsible for accepting incoming email messages on behalf of the domain.
TXT Record (Text / Arbitrary Data)
Carries arbitrary machine-readable or human-readable text associated with a domain.
SPF Record (Sender Policy Framework TXT)
A TXT record that defines which mail servers and IP addresses are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain.
DKIM Record (DomainKeys Identified Mail TXT)
Publishes a cryptographic public key in DNS used to verify that an email message was signed by the domain and not tampered with in transit.
DMARC Record (Domain-based Message Authentication TXT)
Instructs receiving mail servers what action to take (none, quarantine, or reject) if an email fails both SPF and DKIM checks.
CAA Record (Certification Authority Authorization)
Specifies which Certificate Authorities (CAs) are permitted to issue TLS/SSL certificates for your domain.
PTR Record (Pointer / Reverse DNS)
Resolves an IP address back to its canonical domain name (Reverse DNS / rDNS lookup).
NS Record (Name Server)
Delegates a DNS zone to use specific authoritative nameservers.
SRV Record (Service Locator)
Defines the location (hostname and port number) of servers for specific protocols like SIP, XMPP, or LDAP.
SOA Record (Start of Authority)
Specifies authoritative core parameters for the DNS zone including serial number, primary nameserver, and administrator email.