DNS at DNSimple

Last updated October 29, 2026

Table of Contents

• Announcements
• What is DNS?
• How to manage DNS
• Troubleshooting DNS issues
• DNS reference
• Related articles
• Have more questions?

DNSimple DNS hosting answers DNS queries for your domains from a global anycast network. You manage the records in the record editor, the API, or with tools like Terraform, and DNSimple serves them from its four name servers. This guide organizes all DNS-related documentation to help you find what you need.

Announcements

Past changes to DNSimple’s name servers that may explain a change in how your domain resolves:

• Discontinuation of Legacy NS1 and NS3 IP Addresses - The retirement of the old NS1 and NS3 IP addresses, completed July 6, 2026.
• Change of Non-Compliant ENT Behavior - Since December 1, 2025, Empty Non-Terminals (ENTs) no longer match wildcard records.

What is DNS?

Learn about DNS fundamentals, DNS records, and DNS concepts:

• What Is DNS? - Understand the fundamentals of the Domain Name System and how it translates domain names to IP addresses.
• What Is Time-to-Live? - Learn about TTL (Time-to-Live) and how it controls how long DNS records are cached.
• TTL in DNSimple - The TTL values you can choose in DNSimple, from 1 minute to 3 days.
• How Long Does a New DNS Record Take to Resolve? - Understand the time it takes for new DNS records to become available after creation.
• What Is Resolution Status? - Learn about resolution status and how to check if your DNS records are resolving correctly.
• What Is dig? - Introduction to the dig command-line tool for querying DNS servers.
• What Is Dynamic DNS? - Understand Dynamic DNS and how it allows you to update DNS records automatically when your IP address changes.
• What Is a Zone File? - Learn about zone files and how they contain DNS record information for a domain.
• DNSimple Points of Presence - Learn about DNSimple’s global network of Points of Presence and how they improve DNS resolution performance.
• Common DNS Records - Overview of the most frequently used DNS record types and their purposes.
• What Is an A Record? - Learn about A records and how they map domain names to IPv4 addresses.
• What Is an AAAA Record? - Understand AAAA records and how they map domain names to IPv6 addresses.
• What Is an ALIAS Record? - Discover ALIAS records and how they provide CNAME-like functionality at the root domain.
• What Is a CAA Record? - Learn about CAA (Certificate Authority Authorization) records and how they specify which CAs can issue certificates.
• What Is a CNAME Record? - Understand CNAME records and how they create aliases for domain names.
• What Is a DKIM Record? - Learn about DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) records and email authentication.
• What Is a DMARC Record? - Understand DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication) records and email security.
• What Are DS Records? - Learn about DS (Delegation Signer) records used for DNSSEC validation.
• What Are Empty Non-Terminals (ENT)? - Understand Empty Non-Terminals (ENTs) in DNS and how they affect wildcard record resolution.
• What Are Glue Records? - Understand glue records and how they help resolve name servers for your domain.
• What Are HINFO Records? - Learn about HINFO records and how they describe host hardware and operating system information.
• What Is an MX Record? - Understand MX (Mail Exchange) records and how they direct email to mail servers.
• What Are Null MX Records? - Learn how a null MX record says a domain does not accept email.
• What Is an NS Record? - Learn about NS (Name Server) records and how they delegate DNS authority.
• What Are NAPTR Records? - Understand NAPTR (Name Authority Pointer) records and their use in advanced DNS routing.
• What Is a POOL Record? - Learn about POOL records and how they spread traffic by answering with a random hostname from a pool.
• What Are Reverse DNS Lookups and PTR Records? - Understand reverse DNS lookups and PTR records that map IP addresses to domain names.
• What Is an SOA Record? - Learn about SOA (Start of Authority) records and their role in DNS zone management.
• What Is an SPF Record? - Understand SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records and email authentication.
• What Is an SRV Record? - Learn about SRV (Service) records and how they specify service locations.
• What Are Service Binding Records (SVCB and HTTPS)? - Understand SVCB and HTTPS records (RFC 9460) and how they provide service binding information for network services.
• What Are SSHFP Records? - Understand SSHFP records and how they store SSH public key fingerprints.
• What Is a TLSA Record? - Learn about TLSA (Transport Layer Security Authentication) records and how they enhance TLS security through DANE.
• What Is DANE (DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities)? - Learn about DANE and how it uses DNSSEC to authenticate TLS certificates through DNS records.
• What Are System Records? - Learn about system records that DNSimple automatically manages for your domain.
• What Is a TXT Record? - Understand TXT records and how they store arbitrary text data for various purposes.
• What Is a URL Record? - Learn about URL records and how they redirect domains to web addresses.
• Differences Between A and CNAME Records - Understand the key differences between A and CNAME records and when to use each.
• Differences Among A, CNAME, ALIAS, and URL Records - Compare A, CNAME, ALIAS, and URL records to choose the right record type for your needs.
• Differences Between HTTPS and ALIAS Records - Understand when to use HTTPS records versus ALIAS records for apex domain aliasing and service binding.
• Differences Between HTTPS and URL Records - Compare HTTPS records and URL records to understand service binding versus web redirects.
• What Is Domain Delegation? - Learn how delegation at the registry decides which name servers answer for your domain.
• How DNS Caching and TTL Affect Delegation and Record Changes - Understand why changes take time to appear everywhere.
• Recursive vs Authoritative DNS Resolvers - Learn the difference between the resolver that looks up an answer and the name server that holds it.
• What Is Anycast DNS and Why Use It? - Learn about Anycast DNS and the benefits it provides for DNS resolution speed and reliability.
• Protection Against DDoS Attacks - Understand how DNSimple protects your DNS infrastructure against DDoS attacks.
• What Is EDNS Client Subnet Support? - Learn about EDNS Client Subnet (ECS) and how it improves DNS resolution accuracy.
• Regional Records Explained - Learn about regional records and how they enable location-based DNS responses.
• Reverse DNS Zones - Learn about reverse DNS zones and how to configure PTR records.
• Secondary DNS at DNSimple - Starting point for secondary DNS: outbound, inbound, and multi-provider setups.
• Why DNSSEC and Secondary DNS May Not Work Together - Understand compatibility considerations when using DNSSEC with secondary DNS.
• How ALIAS Records Resolve with Secondary DNS - Learn how ALIAS records work when using secondary DNS providers.
• Integrated DNS Providers at DNSimple - Overview of integrated DNS providers available in DNSimple and how they work.
• What Are Integrated DNS Providers? - Understand integrated DNS providers and the benefits of using them with DNSimple.
• Integrated DNS Provider Amazon Route 53 - Learn how to use Amazon Route 53 as an integrated DNS provider.
• Integrated DNS Provider Azure DNS - Learn how to use Azure DNS as an integrated DNS provider.
• Integrated DNS Provider CoreDNS - Learn how to use CoreDNS as an integrated DNS provider.
• What Is Zone Verification and Why Does It Matter? - Understand zone verification and why it is important for DNS management.
• How Does Zone Verification Work? - Learn about the zone verification process and how DNSimple validates DNS zones.
• Why You Should Auto-Import DNS Records - Learn how auto-import copies your existing records when you move DNS to DNSimple.
• Why Should I Use DNSimple as a DNS Hosting Provider? - Learn about the advantages of using DNSimple for DNS hosting.

How to manage DNS

Step-by-step guides for managing DNS records, zones, and DNS configuration:

• How to Use the Record Editor - Step-by-step guide to using DNSimple’s record editor to manage your DNS records.
• How To Add Common DNS Records - Learn how to add the most commonly used DNS record types.
• Activate and Deactivate a DNS Zone - Instructions for activating or deactivating DNS zones in DNSimple.
• Manage A Records - Step-by-step guide to creating, editing, and deleting A records.
• Manage AAAA Records - Learn how to manage AAAA records for IPv6 addresses.
• Manage CAA Records - Instructions for managing CAA records to control certificate issuance.
• Manage CNAME Records - Guide to creating and managing CNAME records.
• Manage Service Binding Records (SVCB and HTTPS) - Step-by-step guide to creating and managing SVCB and HTTPS records for service binding.
• Manage TLSA Records - Step-by-step guide to creating and managing TLSA records for DANE.
• Manage URL Records - Learn how to set up and manage URL redirect records.
• Add an SRV Record - Step-by-step instructions for adding SRV records.
• Add and Remove DS Records - Guide to managing DS records for DNSSEC.
• Manage DS Records When Changing DNS - Learn how to handle DS records when switching DNS providers.
• Export Zone File - Instructions for exporting your DNS zone file from DNSimple.
• Import Zone File - Learn how to import a zone file into DNSimple.
• Auto-Import DNS Records - Guide to importing a domain’s existing DNS records automatically.
• Updating Zone NS Records for a Hosted Domain - Learn how to manage name server (NS) records for your zone.
• Set Up DKIM - Step-by-step guide to configuring DKIM for email authentication.
• Set Up DMARC - Instructions for setting up DMARC to protect your email domain.
• Set Up SPF Records - Instructions for publishing an SPF record for your domain.
• Set Up MX Records for Email Hosting - Point your domain’s email to your email provider.
• Set Up Null MX Records - Tell senders a domain does not accept email.
• Manage Email DNS Records - Manage the MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your email.
• Manage MX Records When Changing Email Providers - Switch email providers without losing mail.
• Query MX Records - Learn how to query and verify MX records using various tools.
• Set Up Simple Dynamic DNS - Guide to configuring Dynamic DNS for automatic IP address updates.
• Manage Integrated DNS Providers - Learn how to manage integrated DNS providers in DNSimple.
• Use Route 53 as an Integrated DNS Provider - Step-by-step guide to using Amazon Route 53 as an integrated provider.
• Use CoreDNS as an Integrated DNS Provider - Instructions for using CoreDNS as an integrated DNS provider.
• Manage Zones at Integrated DNS Providers - Guide to managing zones when using integrated DNS providers.
• Manage Integrated Zone Records - Learn how to manage DNS records in integrated zones.
• Import Integrated Zone Records - Instructions for importing records into integrated DNS zones.
• Refresh and Import Integrated Zones - Learn how to refresh and import zones from integrated DNS providers.
• Sync Integrated Zone Records - Guide to syncing records between DNS providers.
• Create a Record Note - Learn how to add notes to DNS records for documentation purposes.
• Create a Record Deletion Note - Learn how to add deletion notes to DNS records when removing them.
• Record Notes - Understand how to use record notes to document your DNS configuration.
• View Record Notes and Audit History - Learn how to view record notes and audit history for your DNS records.
• How to Use dig - Comprehensive guide to using the dig command-line tool for DNS queries.
• Check DNS Cache - Learn how to check and clear DNS cache to verify record changes.
• Check Resolution Status - Instructions for checking if your DNS records are resolving correctly.
• How to Change TTL in DNSimple - Learn how to modify the Time-to-Live (TTL) settings for your DNS records in DNSimple.
• Verify DKIM with dig and Online Tools - Learn how to verify your DKIM configuration using dig and online verification tools.
• Verify DMARC with dig and Online Tools - Guide to verifying DMARC records using dig and online tools.
• Verify SPF with dig and Online Tools - Guide to verifying SPF records using dig and online tools.
• Rotate DNSSEC Keys - Step-by-step instructions for rotating DNSSEC keys.

Troubleshooting DNS issues

Resolve common DNS problems and configuration issues:

• Troubleshoot DNSimple Name Servers - Solutions for common issues with DNSimple name servers.
• Troubleshoot Domain Resolution Issues - Guide to diagnosing and fixing domain resolution problems.
• Troubleshoot Empty Non-Terminal Issues - Learn how to troubleshoot issues related to Empty Non-Terminals (ENTs) in DNS.
• Troubleshoot Record Resolution Issues - Learn how to troubleshoot specific DNS record resolution problems.
• How to Fix Empty Responses from Empty Non-Terminals - Step-by-step guide to fixing empty responses caused by Empty Non-Terminals.
• Troubleshoot Email or Subdomains After Delegation Changes - Fix email or subdomains that stopped working after you changed name servers.
• External DNS Diagnostic Tools - Third-party tools for checking DNS from many locations.

DNS reference

Technical specifications, formats, and reference documentation:

• DNS Glossary - Comprehensive glossary of DNS terms and definitions.
• Supported DNS Records and DNS Record Types - Complete list of DNS record types supported by DNSimple.
• A Record Format - Technical reference for A record format and syntax.
• AAAA Record Format - Technical reference for AAAA record format and syntax.
• ALIAS Record Reference - Complete reference guide for ALIAS records.
• CAA Record Format and Policy Tags - Technical reference for CAA record format and available policy tags.
• CNAME Record Reference - Complete reference guide for CNAME records.
• DKIM Record Reference - Technical reference for DKIM record format and configuration.
• DMARC Record Reference - Complete reference guide for DMARC record syntax and policies.
• HINFO Record Reference - Technical reference for HINFO record format.
• MX Record Reference - Complete reference guide for MX record format and priority values.
• NS Record Format - Technical reference for NS record format and DNSimple’s NS fields.
• Email DNS Records Quick Reference - The MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for email in one place.
• POOL Record Reference - Technical reference for POOL record format and how its answers are chosen.
• PTR Record Reference - Complete reference guide for PTR records used in reverse DNS.
• SOA Record Reference - Technical reference for SOA record format and all fields.
• SPF Record Syntax and Validation Reference - Complete reference for SPF record syntax and validation rules.
• SRV Record Format and Components Reference - Technical reference for SRV record format and all components.
• SSHFP Record Reference - Complete reference guide for SSHFP record format.
• TLSA Record Format and Components Reference - Technical reference for TLSA record format and DANE configuration.
• TXT Record Format and Long Record Handling - Technical reference for TXT record format and handling long records.
• URL Record Format and Technical Details - Complete reference guide for URL record format and technical specifications.
• dig Reference Guide - Comprehensive reference guide for the dig command-line tool.
• DNSimple Interface Reference for DNS Management - Complete reference for DNSimple’s web interface and DNS management features.
• DNSimple TTL Settings Reference - Technical reference for DNSimple’s TTL settings and minimum TTL values.
• Understand DNSimple’s Record Editors Simple vs. Field-Specific - Reference guide explaining the differences between simple and field-specific record editors.
• IPv6 Domain Resolution Reference - Technical reference for IPv6 domain resolution and AAAA records.
• Resolving with DNSimple - Technical reference for displaying and embedding a “Resolving with DNSimple” badge on websites.

Related articles

These live in other categories but come up often alongside DNS:

• Name Server Management at DNSimple - Delegation decides which provider answers for the zone you manage here.
• DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) at DNSimple - Sign the zone so resolvers can verify the records it returns.
• Email Services at DNSimple - The MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records that carry and authenticate mail.
• DNS Templates at DNSimple - Reusable record sets you can apply across many zones.
• One-click Services at DNSimple - Prebuilt record sets for known providers, applied in one step.

Have more questions?

If you have any questions about DNS at DNSimple, just contact support, and we’ll be happy to help.