Understanding DNS Record Types

Summary:
A quick overview of the most common DNS records you’ll use.

Record Purpose Example
A Points to IPv4 address example.com192.0.2.1
AAAA Points to IPv6 address example.com2001:db8::1
CNAME Alias of another domain www → example.com
MX Routes email @ → mail.example.com
TXT Stores text data (e.g. SPF) v=spf1 include:_spf.yourprovider.com ~all
NS Delegates nameservers example.com → ns1.aviumshost.co.uk
PTR Reverse DNS (IP → Domain) 1.2.0.192.in-addr.arpa → example.com