DNS record types
This guide explains what the common DNS record types do, which one you need for a website, email or verification, and how to read a record in a table.
A DNS zone holds several record types. Each one answers a different question:
| Record | What it does | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A | Points a name to an IPv4 address | The website address |
| AAAA | Points a name to an IPv6 address | The website address over IPv6 |
| CNAME | Makes one name an alias of another name | www pointing to the main name |
| NS | Names the nameservers for a zone | Where DNS is managed |
| MX | Names the mail servers for a domain | Where incoming email is delivered |
| TXT | Holds text, used for verification and email authentication | SPF, DKIM, DMARC and ownership checks |
| CAA | Names the certificate authorities allowed to issue certificates | Limiting who can issue SSL certificates |
| SRV | Points a service name to a host and port | Some applications and games |
| PTR | Maps an IP address back to a name | Reverse DNS for a server |
Each record also has a host (the name it applies to, where @ usually means the domain itself), a value (the target) and a TTL. For MX records there is also a priority.
Read the guide for each record before you edit it. A single wrong record can stop a website or email.
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Last reviewed
2026-10-27