How to Look Up a Domain or IP Address on dns.google

Updated

Go to dns.google, type a domain (like example.com) or an IP address (like 8.8.8.8 or 2001:4860:4860::8844) into the DNS Name field, and select Resolve. The page returns the DNS records associated with that name or address. This works for both IPv4 and IPv6 formats, and it's useful when you want to confirm how a name resolves or check what a given address maps back to.

Steps to run a lookup

  1. Open https://dns.google in your browser.
  2. Find the DNS Name input field.
  3. Enter one of the following:
    • A domain name, e.g. example.com
    • An IPv4 address, e.g. 8.8.8.8
    • An IPv6 address, e.g. 2001:4860:4860::8844
  4. Click Resolve.
  5. Read the returned DNS resolution results in the response area.

The input accepts either a name or an address, so you don't need to switch tools depending on what you're checking.

What you can enter

Input type Example What it's for
Domain name example.com See how a hostname resolves
IPv4 address 8.8.8.8 Query an address in IPv4 format
IPv6 address 2001:4860:4860::8844 Query an address in IPv6 format

Both address families are supported, which matters if you're troubleshooting a site that behaves differently over IPv4 and IPv6.

What the results tell you

After you select Resolve, the page shows the DNS resolution output for your input. You can use this to:

  • Confirm whether a domain resolves at all.
  • Check which records a name returns.
  • Verify that an IP address is associated with the expected name.

If a domain you expect to resolve returns nothing or unexpected records, that points to a DNS configuration or propagation issue rather than a problem with the lookup tool itself.

Related options on the page

Alongside the lookup field, the page links to Help, Cache Flush, and Get Started with Google Public DNS. Cache Flush is relevant if you've recently changed DNS records and want to clear cached entries before re-checking; the Get Started page covers using Google Public DNS as your resolver rather than just querying through the web tool.

Common snags

  • Typo in the name or address: A single wrong character changes the query entirely. Re-check the exact spelling before concluding a record is missing.
  • Expecting a full record dump: The tool returns resolution results for what you entered; it isn't a general-purpose zone viewer.
  • Confusing lookup with changing your resolver: Querying on dns.google shows you results, but it doesn't change which DNS server your own device uses. For that, follow the Get Started guidance.