IP address and hostname: reverse DNS explained
A reverse DNS lookup can show a hostname linked to an IP address. Learn how to check the PTR record and what the result can—and cannot—tell you.
Blog category
DNS & Connectivity
DNS turns a site name into an IP address before your browser connects. Start with what DNS is and how it works. If answers seem stale, read what TTL means in DNS; if the resolver itself is unreliable, continue with how to change your DNS server. Most DNS problems fall into three groups: a mistyped or missing record, a stale answer still cached somewhere, or a resolver that is slow or filtering. Test the same name on another network or with another resolver first; that single comparison tells you which group you are in before you change any settings.
Use the lookup on this site to see your public IP, but remember that it does not reveal every DNS step.
Learn how DNS resolves names, how caches and TTL work, and how to diagnose NXDOMAIN, slow lookups and other common connectivity errors.
DNS TTL Explained: How Caching and Changes Work
Learn what DNS TTL controls, why lowering it does not instantly clear old answers, how to choose a value, and how to check authoritative and cached results.
What Is DNS and How Does It Work?
Follow a DNS lookup, understand common records and caching, and use practical checks to diagnose a site that will not resolve.
How to Change DNS Server on Any Device
Choose the right place to change DNS, follow current steps for your device or router, and verify the change without disturbing your IP settings.
IP Address With Domain Name: How to Find It
Look up a domain’s current IPv4 and IPv6 answers, then learn why that address may belong to a CDN and what it can really tell you about a website.