DNS Record Types Explained
DNS records are typed answers. Choosing the right type matters because website routing, mail delivery and verification all depend on different records.
Updated 2026-08-08Common records
A points a name to an IPv4 address. AAAA points a name to an IPv6 address. CNAME makes one name an alias of another name.
MX routes email. TXT stores verification and policy text. NS identifies authoritative nameservers. CAA limits which certificate authorities may issue certificates.
Reverse DNS
PTR records work in the opposite direction: they map an IP address back to a hostname. PTR records are commonly used for mail server reputation and network diagnostics.
Practical check
When troubleshooting, check the exact record type required by the service. A working A record does not prove MX, TXT or CNAME records are correct.
Quick answers
Can one name have multiple A records?
Yes. Multiple A or AAAA records are often used for redundancy or simple load distribution.