DNS Record Types Explained

Different DNS record types serve different purposes. Here are the most common ones.

Address records

• A — maps a name to IPv4
• AAAA — maps a name to IPv6

Mail and authority

• MX — mail exchanger priority and hostname
• NS — delegated name servers

Aliases and text

• CNAME — alias to another name
• TXT — arbitrary text, often SPF, DKIM, or verification tokens

SOA

The SOA record defines zone authority metadata such as serial number and refresh timers.