DNS Record Guide and TTL Calculator
Explore the common DNS record types in plain English, turn any TTL value into a human-readable time, and learn how to check DNS yourself with simple commands.
A. DNS record type explorer
A record
Example zone line:
Typical use:
B. TTL calculator
Common presets
Propagation estimate:
Advice:
C. Check DNS yourself
Replace example.com with your own domain. The dig commands work on Linux and macOS; on Windows, use nslookup or the online checkers.
Good to know
- DNS is a distributed system, so "propagation" really means cached copies expiring one by one. That is why the TTL matters.
- Some ISPs and public resolvers set their own maximum or minimum cache times, so results can vary by location.
- Changing a nameserver (NS) record usually takes longer than other record changes because registries and resolvers cache it heavily.