DNS Records Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to A, CNAME, TXT, and More

Should you’ve ever arrange a web site or e mail tackle, you’ve most likely seen phrases like “A report,” “CNAME,” or “MX report” and puzzled what they imply. This text walks you thru the fundamentals of DNS information, explains the commonest sorts, and exhibits tips on how to use them to regulate your area’s conduct.

We’ll additionally cowl tips on how to handle DNS settings with Unstoppable Domains if you happen to’ve registered a standard DNS area by means of our platform.

DNS (Area Title System) information are directions saved on DNS servers that outline how your area behaves. These information decide the place your web site lives, how emails are routed, and the way companies confirm your area.

You possibly can consider DNS information because the command middle to your area identify. Whether or not you’re connecting your area to an internet host, e mail service, or Google verification software, you’ll must configure the right DNS information.

There are lots of forms of DNS information, however some are used much more regularly than others. Crucial ones to know embrace:

• A Document
• CNAME Document
• TXT Document
• MX Document

Let’s break every one down.

An A report (brief for “Deal with report”) hyperlinks your area to an IP tackle, a numerical tackle that identifies a server on the web.

What’s an IP tackle?
An IP (Web Protocol) tackle is sort of a residence tackle for computer systems and servers. It tells your browser the place to seek out the server that holds your web site content material. The most typical format is IPv4, which seems like this: 192.0.2.1.

What’s an internet server?
An internet server is a pc that shops your web site’s information, HTML, photographs, scripts and delivers them when somebody visits your website.

So what does an A report do?
It tells the DNS system:
“When somebody sorts in yourdomain.com, ship them to the IP tackle 192.0.2.1.”

That is important for launching any web site — it connects the area identify to the server internet hosting your content material.

A CNAME report (Canonical Title) tells your area to ahead site visitors to a different area as an alternative of pointing on to a server.

In follow, it means:
“When somebody visits this area, mechanically redirect them to a different area.”

Instance:
You may set:
weblog.yourdomain.com → yoursite.hostingplatform.com

Which means when somebody visits your weblog subdomain, they’re despatched to a web page hosted by your web site builder.

What’s a subdomain?
A subdomain is part of your predominant area. For instance, weblog.yourdomain.com or store.yourdomain.com. These are sometimes used to arrange totally different sections of a website or connect with totally different companies.

CNAMEs are mostly used for subdomains and third-party platforms like Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace.

Abstract:
Use an A report when the server IP tackle and wish to join your predominant area.
Use a CNAME if you’re connecting a subdomain to a platform or service hosted on one other area.

A TXT report is used to retailer plain textual content in your area’s DNS settings. It’s mostly used for verification and safety functions.

What’s it used for?

• Google Search Console verification: This can be a software by Google that helps you monitor how your web site seems in search outcomes. You confirm possession of your area by including a TXT report with a singular code offered by Google.
• SPF/DKIM information: These are safety information used to forestall e mail spoofing and enhance e mail deliverability. They inform e mail servers which companies are allowed to ship mail in your behalf.
• Website possession validation: Many companies like Microsoft, Fb, or HubSpot require you to show you personal a site earlier than connecting it to their platform. TXT information make that potential.

Instance:
yourdomain.com → “v=spf1 embrace:_spf.google.com ~all”

Whereas this will look advanced, most companies present the precise worth to repeat and paste — you don’t want to know the code itself to make use of it appropriately.

An MX report (Mail Alternate) controls the place your area’s e mail is delivered. If you wish to use an e mail supplier like Gmail or Outlook along with your customized area, you’ll want so as to add that supplier’s MX information to your DNS settings.

What does an MX report appear to be?

It contains two components:

• Precedence quantity (e.g. 1, 5, 10)
• Mail server tackle (e.g. ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM)

Instance:
Precedence: 1 → ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM

The precedence quantity determines which mail server will get used first. Decrease numbers imply greater precedence. If the primary mail server fails, the system tries the following one.

The place is that this added?
You add MX information in your area registrar’s DNS settings panel, similar to A, CNAME, or TXT information.

To configure your area, observe these steps:

1. Log into your area registrar’s dashboard
2. Go to DNS settings or “Handle DNS”
3. Select the report kind (A, CNAME, TXT, MX, and so forth.)
4. Enter the required values (host, goal, TTL)
5. “Save adjustments” and permit time for propagation (normally 5–half-hour)

This course of is named DNS configuration, and it’s required to attach your area to web sites, e mail companies, or verification instruments.

Should you’ve registered a DNS area (like .com or .web) by means of Unstoppable Domains, you possibly can handle your DNS information immediately out of your dashboard similar to with any conventional registrar.

Right here’s tips on how to add or replace DNS information on Unstoppable:

1. Go to “My Domains” in your account
2. Choose the area you wish to replace
3. Guarantee “DNS Information” is chosen on the left-side panel
4. Select the report kind (A, CNAME, TXT, MX, and so forth.)
5. Enter the required values out of your internet host, e mail supplier, or verification service
6. Select “Save” and updates normally propagate inside a couple of minutes

Each DNS area registered by means of Unstoppable contains:

• At-cost pricing on each registration and renewals
• Free WHOIS privateness safety
• Assist for all main DNS report sorts, together with A, CNAME, TXT, and MX
• A clear, user-friendly dashboard for full DNS configuration

DNS information could seem technical at first, however when you perceive what every kind does, they’re one of the vital highly effective instruments in your digital toolkit.

Whether or not you’re launching a web site, organising e mail, or verifying possession with Google or one other service, realizing tips on how to navigate DNS information is essential.

And if you happen to’re registering domains with Unstoppable, you possibly can handle your DNS settings simply with clear pricing and assist alongside the best way.