NS Record Lookup - Find Authoritative Nameservers
No logs stored • Server-side processing
Discover which DNS servers are delegated to answer queries for any domain. View nameserver hostnames, TTL values, and verify DNS delegation configuration. No software required.
Free Online Nameserver Lookup Tool
Enter a domain above to get started
We'll show you A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, NS, SOA, and CAA records
Find Authoritative Nameservers for Any Domain with NS Lookup
NS records (Nameserver records) identify the authoritative DNS servers responsible for a domain. When you perform an NS lookup, you discover which servers have the authority to answer DNS queries for that domain. These nameservers are the foundation of DNS delegation—they tell the internet where to find all other DNS records for the domain.
What You'll Discover
Can Find
- All authoritative nameservers for any domain
- TTL values showing how long NS records are cached
- DNS provider identification via nameserver patterns
- DNSSEC status (signed or unsigned)
- All 8 DNS record types via tabs (A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, SOA, CAA)
Cannot Find
- Nameserver IP addresses (use A Record Lookup on the NS hostname)
- Real-time DNS propagation status (use DNS Checker)
- Nameserver health or response times
- Historical NS record changes
How to Look Up NS Records
Check nameservers for any domain in four simple steps
Enter Domain Name
Type or paste any domain (e.g., google.com, cloudflare.com). We automatically clean URLs—paste a full URL and we'll extract the domain.
Click "Lookup" Button
Our tool queries DNS servers for all 8 record types simultaneously. The NS tab is pre-selected to show nameserver results first.
View NS Record Results
See all authoritative nameservers for the domain. Each record shows the nameserver hostname and TTL in human-readable format (e.g., "6h" instead of 21600 seconds).
Copy or Export Results
Use one-click copy for individual nameservers, or export all results to JSON, CSV, or plain text. Share results via the auto-generated URL.
Understanding Your NS Record Results
What each field in your NS lookup reveals
Nameserver Hostname
The fully qualified domain name of the authoritative nameserver (e.g., ns1.google.com). This is the server delegated to answer DNS queries for the domain. Click the copy button to copy any hostname.
ns1.google.com
TTL (Time To Live)
How long DNS resolvers should cache this NS record before checking for updates. We display TTL in human-readable format: '1h' = 1 hour, '6h' = 6 hours, '1d' = 1 day. Typical NS record TTLs range from 1 hour to 24 hours.
1d (86400 seconds)
Record Count
Total number of NS records found. Most domains have 2-4 nameservers for redundancy. Multiple nameservers ensure DNS remains available even if one server fails or becomes unreachable.
4 NS records
DNSSEC Status
Whether the domain has DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) enabled. DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to DNS records, preventing spoofing and cache poisoning attacks. Green = enabled with DNSKEY and DS records.
Enabled ✓
Response Time
Time taken to query and return all DNS records. Cached queries are faster (< 50ms) than fresh lookups (< 500ms). Slow responses may indicate DNS server issues or network latency.
145ms
Why Choose Our NS Lookup Tool
More than just NS records—complete DNS visibility
NS Record Focused
Opens directly on the NS records tab for instant nameserver visibility. No hunting through menus—get the information you need immediately.
All 8 DNS Record Types
NS records are the default, but A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, SOA, and CAA are available via tabs. One lookup gives you the complete DNS picture without switching tools.
Human-Readable TTL
TTL values displayed as '6h', '1d', '24h' instead of confusing seconds. Instantly understand how long records are cached without mental math.
One-Click Copy
Click any nameserver hostname to copy it to your clipboard instantly. Perfect for pasting into DNS configurations or documentation.
DNSSEC Detection
See at a glance whether the domain has DNSSEC enabled. A security indicator shows if DNS responses are cryptographically signed and validated.
Export to JSON/CSV/TXT
Download your NS record lookup results in multiple formats. JSON for APIs and automation, CSV for spreadsheets, plain text for documentation.
When You Need NS Record Lookup
Common scenarios where checking NS records is essential
DNS Provider Migration
Switched from GoDaddy to Cloudflare? Use NS lookup to verify your nameservers updated correctly at the registrar level. See the exact nameserver hostnames to confirm the migration.
DNS Troubleshooting
Website not resolving? Domain email not working? Check NS records first—incorrect nameserver configuration is a common cause of DNS failures.
Domain Security Audit
Ensure only authorized nameservers have delegation for your domains. Unexpected nameservers could indicate DNS hijacking or unauthorized changes.
Competitive Research
Discover which DNS providers your competitors use. Understanding their infrastructure can inform your own DNS and hosting decisions.
How NS Records and DNS Delegation Work
NS records are a critical part of the DNS hierarchy that delegate authority for a domain to specific DNS servers.
What are Authoritative Nameservers?
An authoritative nameserver is a DNS server that holds the original, definitive DNS records for a zone. Unlike recursive resolvers that cache and forward queries, authoritative servers provide non-cached, authoritative answers. When you query example.com's NS records, you get the hostnames of servers authorized to answer all DNS queries for that domain. Every domain must have at least one authoritative nameserver, but best practice recommends 2-4 for redundancy and geographic distribution.
DNS Delegation Chain
DNS delegation is the hierarchical process of assigning authority. Root servers delegate .com, .net, .org to TLD servers. TLD servers delegate example.com to the domain's NS records. Authoritative NS provides final answers for all record types. This chain is why NS record propagation takes 24-48 hours—each level must update its cache based on TTL values.
NS Records vs SOA Records
Both relate to DNS authority, but serve different purposes. NS records list ALL authoritative nameservers (typically 2-4 hostnames). SOA records contain zone metadata and timing (primary NS, admin email, serial, refresh/retry/expire timings). Use NS lookup to see which servers are authoritative; use SOA lookup for zone configuration details.
nslookup vs dig vs Our Online Tool
All three query DNS, but with different approaches. nslookup is built into Windows, has interactive mode, and simpler output. dig is a Unix/Linux tool with more detailed output and is scriptable. Our online tool requires no installation, works everywhere, exports results, and queries all 8 record types simultaneously. We provide the functionality of both nslookup and dig in a browser-based interface—perfect for quick lookups without terminal access.
NS Lookup Specifications
- Record Types
- NS (default), A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, TXT, SOA, CAA
- NS Format
- Fully qualified domain name (e.g., ns1.google.com)
- Typical NS Count
- 2-4 nameservers per domain
- TTL Display
- Human-readable (6h, 1d, 24h) + seconds
- DNSSEC Detection
- DNSKEY and DS record checking
- Response Time
- < 500ms (cached: < 50ms)
- Cache Duration
- 5 minutes (300 seconds)
- Export Formats
- JSON, CSV, Plain Text
- API Access
- REST API at /api/v1/dns-lookup
Frequently Asked Questions
What are NS records?
NS (Nameserver) records identify the authoritative DNS servers for a domain. They tell the internet which servers have the authority to answer DNS queries for that domain. When you look up any DNS record, resolvers follow the NS records to find the correct authoritative server.
What is nslookup?
Nslookup is a command-line network administration tool for querying the Domain Name System (DNS). It's built into Windows and available on most operating systems. Our online NS lookup tool provides the same functionality without requiring terminal access or software installation.
How many nameservers should a domain have?
Most domains have 2-4 nameservers for redundancy. This ensures DNS remains available even if one server fails or becomes unreachable. Major DNS providers like Cloudflare typically assign 2 nameservers, while enterprise setups may use 4 or more across different geographic regions.
What is the difference between nslookup and dig?
Both nslookup and dig query DNS, but dig provides more detailed, scriptable output and is preferred by Unix/Linux administrators. Nslookup offers an interactive mode and is widely available on Windows. Our online tool combines both approaches—easy to use with comprehensive output.
What does the NS lookup command do?
The NS lookup command queries DNS servers to find the authoritative nameservers for a specified domain. It reveals which servers are delegated to answer DNS queries, showing nameserver hostnames like ns1.google.com or alex.ns.cloudflare.com.
How do I check my domain's nameservers?
Enter your domain in our NS lookup tool above and click Lookup. You'll instantly see all NS records configured for your domain, including nameserver hostnames and TTL values. You can also check via your domain registrar's control panel or using command-line nslookup.
Why are my nameservers not working?
Common causes include: recent nameserver changes still propagating (24-48 hours), typos in nameserver hostnames at the registrar, DNS provider issues, or mismatched nameservers between registrar and DNS host. Use our tool to verify current NS records, then compare with your intended configuration.
How long does nameserver propagation take?
Nameserver changes typically take 24-48 hours to propagate globally, though local resolvers may update faster. Propagation time depends on TTL values cached by recursive resolvers worldwide. Some ISPs cache aggressively, which can extend propagation up to 72 hours in rare cases.
What is an authoritative nameserver?
An authoritative nameserver is a DNS server that holds the definitive, original DNS records for a domain zone. Unlike recursive resolvers that cache and forward queries, authoritative servers provide direct, non-cached answers. The NS records point to these authoritative servers.
Can I use nslookup online without installing software?
Yes! Our free online NS lookup tool works in any web browser without installation. Simply enter a domain name to query nameservers instantly. This is ideal for quick lookups on devices where you can't or don't want to use command-line tools.
What is DNS delegation?
DNS delegation is the process of assigning DNS authority for a domain or subdomain to specific nameservers. When you register a domain and set nameservers at your registrar, you're creating a delegation that tells the DNS hierarchy where to find authoritative answers for your domain.
How do I change my domain's nameservers?
Log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.) and navigate to DNS or nameserver settings. Replace the existing nameserver entries with those provided by your DNS host. Changes take 24-48 hours to propagate globally. Use our NS lookup tool to verify the change.
Ready to Check Your Nameservers?
Enter any domain above to discover its authoritative nameservers, verify DNS delegation, and view complete NS record details—free and instant.
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