DNS record types, explained

KB-2.3 · 1 min · Updated September 2026

A domain's nameservers hold a set of DNS records: individual instructions, each of a specific type, that tell the internet what to do with different kinds of requests for that domain.

  • A record — points a domain (or subdomain) to an IPv4 address. The most basic "where does this go" record.

  • AAAA record — the same idea as an A record, but for an IPv6 address instead of IPv4.

  • CNAME record — points a subdomain to another domain name instead of directly to an address, useful for aliasing ( www pointing to the root domain, for instance).

  • MX record — routes email for the domain to the right mail server, with a priority number when more than one is listed.

  • TXT record — holds arbitrary text, most commonly used for email authentication standards like SPF and DKIM, or to verify domain ownership with a third-party service.

  • SRV record — points to a specific service running on a specific host and port, rather than just an address.

  • NS record — declares which nameservers are authoritative for a domain (or a delegated subdomain).

  • PTR record — the reverse of an A record: given an IP address, it resolves back to a domain name, most often used for email server reputation checks. PTR records aren't configured through NameBright; they're handled through the domain's ISP or hosting provider instead.

NameBright doesn't support CAA records, a record type that restricts which certificate authorities can issue an SSL/TLS certificate for a domain.

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