Skip to main content
Home DNS query

DNS query

(also DNS request)

What is a DNS query?

A DNS query (also known as a DNS request) is a device’s request to a Domain Name System (DNS) server to provide an IP address for a given hostname. By default, your router will send these requests to your internet service provider’s (ISP) public DNS servers. DNS queries reveal your online activity to the server’s operator — to protect your privacy from your ISP, use a reputable VPN with private DNS servers.

See also: Domain Name System (DNS), DNS proxy

Types of DNS queries

  • Recursive DNS query: The DNS server itself tracks down the DNS record by making a series of DNS requests until it reaches the Authoritative Name Server with the IP address of the requested hostname.
  • Non-recursive DNS query: The DNS server either already has the required DNS record in its cache or knows where to get it, so there is no need for more than one query.
  • Iterative DNS query: If it does not have the requisite IP address in its cache, the DNS server queried refers the client to another DNS server to continue the search.

How do DNS queries work?

DNS queries work by translating human-friendly domain names (like "example.com") into machine-readable IP addresses. Here's the process:

  1. 1.User request: When you enter a domain name into a browser, your device (DNS client) sends a query to a DNS resolver, often provided by your ISP or a third-party service.
  2. 2.DNS cache check: The resolver first checks its local cache to see if it already has the IP address for the domain. If it does, it returns the result instantly.
  3. 3.Recursive query: If the IP isn’t cached, the resolver starts a recursive query, reaching out to a root DNS server to locate the top-level domain (TLD) server (e.g., ".com").
  4. 4.TLD server: The TLD server directs the resolver to the authoritative DNS server responsible for the specific domain name (like "example.com").
  5. 5.Authoritative server response: The authoritative server provides the IP address for the domain.
  6. 6.Result returned: The resolver sends the IP address back to your device, which can now use it to connect to the web server and load the website.

Watch it explained: DNS query and other terms