Short answer
DNS, short for Domain Name System, is the system that translates a human-friendly address like example.com into the technical information computers use to find your website. It works through a chain of records and servers that answer the question of where a domain should send visitors.
DNS in plain terms
Every device on the internet finds other devices using numeric addresses, but people find it far easier to remember words. DNS is the system that bridges the two, matching a domain name typed into a browser with the technical details needed to reach the right server.
You do not need to understand every technical layer to use DNS well. What matters for most website owners is knowing which records exist, what they do, and where to change them.
Nameservers: the starting point
Nameservers are the servers responsible for answering DNS questions about your domain. When you register a domain, it points to a default set of nameservers, and you can change these to hand control over to a different provider, typically your hosting company.
Whoever controls the nameservers controls the DNS records for that domain, which is why updating them is the main step in connecting a domain to hosting.
Common DNS record types
Once a domain points to a set of nameservers, individual DNS records handle specific jobs. Understanding the most common ones makes troubleshooting much easier.
- A record: points a domain or subdomain to a server's numeric address
- CNAME record: points one hostname to another hostname
- MX record: directs where email for the domain should be delivered
- TXT record: stores text information, often used to verify domain ownership or configure email security
Why DNS changes take time
DNS information is cached, meaning copies are stored temporarily by internet service providers and devices around the world so that lookups are fast. When you change a record, it takes time for those cached copies, held by networks from London to Lima, to expire and refresh.
This delay, often called propagation, is normal and is not a sign that something has gone wrong. It simply means patience is needed after any DNS change.
Where to manage DNS
DNS is usually managed either through your domain registrar or through your hosting provider's control panel, depending on where your nameservers point. If you are not sure which one applies to your setup, support at /contact can help you find the right place.
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