What DNS actually does
DNS (Domain Name System) is essentially the internet's address book — it translates a domain name people type (like mynamecraft.com) into the technical destination that actually handles the request, whether that is a web server's IP address, an email server, or a verification value. Each "record" is one entry in that address book, answering one specific question about your domain.
A record — "where is the website?"
An A record points a domain or subdomain directly to an IPv4 address (a numeric server address, like 192.0.2.1). This is the most fundamental record type — it is what makes yourdomain.com actually load your website when someone types it into a browser. An AAAA record does the same thing for IPv6 addresses, the newer, longer address format.
CNAME record — "this name is really just an alias for that name"
A CNAME record points one hostname to another hostname, rather than directly to an IP address — for example, pointing www.yoursite.com to yoursite.com, or pointing a subdomain to a third-party service like yourusername.github.io. The key rule: a CNAME cannot be used at the root/apex of a domain (bare yoursite.com), only on subdomains — that is why apex domains typically use A records instead.
MX record — "where does the email go?"
An MX (Mail Exchange) record tells the internet which mail server should receive email sent to your domain. Without a correctly configured MX record, mail addressed to you@yourdomain.com simply cannot be delivered, regardless of how your website itself is hosted — this is why email setup is a distinct step from website hosting, even though both are configured through the same DNS panel.
TXT record — "here is some verification or policy text"
A TXT record stores arbitrary text data attached to your domain, most commonly used for verification (proving to Google, Microsoft or another service that you genuinely control the domain) and for email authentication standards like SPF and DKIM, which help prevent your domain from being spoofed in phishing emails and improve deliverability of mail you actually send.
NS record — "who manages this domain's DNS?"
An NS (Nameserver) record specifies which nameservers are authoritative for your domain — essentially, which company's DNS system is the source of truth for all the other records above. When you change nameservers, you are pointing your entire DNS management to a different provider all at once, rather than editing individual records.
| Record | Answers the question | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| A / AAAA | What IP address hosts this? | Pointing your domain to your website's server |
| CNAME | What other hostname is this an alias for? | www subdomain, third-party service integration |
| MX | Where should email go? | Routing incoming mail to your email provider |
| TXT | What verification or policy text applies here? | Domain ownership verification, SPF/DKIM email authentication |
| NS | Who is authoritative for this domain's DNS? | Delegating DNS management to a provider |