DNS Record Type Reference Guide
Look up purpose and format of A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and NS DNS records
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About DNS Record Type Reference Guide
Understand Every DNS Record Type at a Glance
DNS is the backbone of the internet, yet even experienced developers and system administrators sometimes struggle to remember the differences between all the record types. The DNS Record Type Reference Guide provides a comprehensive, well-organized reference covering every DNS record type you're likely to encounter, from the everyday A and CNAME records to the more specialized TLSA and CAA records that play crucial roles in modern internet security.
Whether you're configuring a domain for the first time, troubleshooting email delivery issues, or implementing DNSSEC, having a reliable reference within arm's reach saves time and prevents mistakes. The DNS Record Type Reference Guide explains what each record type does, when to use it, and provides example values so you can see exactly what a properly formatted record looks like.
What This Guide Covers
The reference is organized into logical groups. Address records (A and AAAA) map domain names to IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. Alias records (CNAME, ALIAS, DNAME) point one domain to another. Mail records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) control email routing and authentication. Service records (SRV, NAPTR) enable service discovery. Security records (DNSSEC types, CAA, TLSA, SSHFP) protect your domain against spoofing and unauthorized certificate issuance. Text records (TXT) serve multiple purposes from domain verification to policy declaration.
Each record type entry includes a plain-English description of its purpose, the syntax and format of valid values, common use cases, and pitfalls to watch out for. This isn't a dry RFC summary - it's a practical guide written for people who need to configure DNS correctly the first time.
Practical Scenarios
Setting up a new website: You need an A record pointing to your server's IP and probably a CNAME for the www subdomain. But should you use a CNAME or an ALIAS at the zone apex? The guide explains the difference and why it matters for CDN and load balancer configurations.
Fixing email deliverability: Your company's emails keep landing in spam folders. The guide walks you through the trifecta of email authentication - SPF, DKIM, and DMARC - explaining what each TXT record needs to contain and how they work together to prove your emails are legitimate.
Implementing DNSSEC: Your security team requires DNSSEC on all company domains. The guide explains DS, DNSKEY, RRSIG, and NSEC records - what they do, how they chain together, and what happens when they're misconfigured.
Restricting certificate authorities: After a scare with unauthorized SSL certificates, you want to specify which CAs can issue certificates for your domain. The CAA record section explains exactly how to set this up.
Who Keeps This Guide Bookmarked?
Web developers who manage their own DNS but don't do it frequently enough to memorize every record type. System administrators responsible for maintaining DNS zones across multiple domains. DevOps engineers automating DNS configuration through infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform or Pulumi. IT support staff troubleshooting connectivity and email issues. Students studying for networking certifications where DNS knowledge is heavily tested.
Why a Reference Guide Beats Searching the Web
Every time you Google a DNS record type, you wade through SEO-optimized articles that bury the actual information under paragraphs of fluff. This reference guide gets straight to the point. All record types in one place, organized logically, with consistent formatting. No ads, no cookie banners, no newsletter popups - just the information you need.
Expert Tips
Always set a reasonable TTL (Time to Live) when creating records. Low TTLs (300 seconds) are useful before migrations so changes propagate quickly, but raise them afterward to reduce DNS query load. Never use a CNAME at the zone apex (bare domain) - it violates the RFC and causes unpredictable behavior with MX and TXT records. When adding TXT records for SPF, keep them under 255 characters per string segment and remember that multiple SPF records on the same domain will cause authentication failures.
The DNS Record Type Reference Guide loads instantly in your browser and requires no account or download. It's the kind of reference you'll return to every time DNS work lands on your desk.