Global DNS Propagation Checker
Changed a DNS record and waiting for it to go live? Query your records across public resolvers around the world and see, at a glance, how far the change has propagated.
What DNS propagation means
When you change a DNS record — pointing a domain to a new server, updating an MX record, or adding a TXT verification — the change doesn't reach the whole internet at once. Every resolver caches the previous answer until its TTL (time to live) expires, so for a while some resolvers return the new record while others still serve the old one.
That in-between window is 'propagation.' It usually clears within minutes to a few hours, but a long TTL set before the change can stretch it out. Until every resolver agrees, some of your visitors reach the new server and some still hit the old one.
How this DNS lookup tool works
Instead of asking your own computer's resolver, this DNS propagation checker queries the same record across several independent public resolvers worldwide — Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Quad9, and OpenDNS — at the same time. It then compares their answers and shows the consensus record plus a propagation percentage.
When every resolver returns the same record you'll see 100% — the change has fully propagated and it's safe to move on. Anything less means it's still in flight at some vantage points. You can check A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and NS records this way.
How long does DNS propagation take?
It depends on the record's TTL. Most changes are visible everywhere within a few minutes to a couple of hours, but if a high TTL was in effect before the change, cached answers can linger for up to 24–48 hours. Lowering the TTL a day before a planned change makes propagation much faster.
Why do different resolvers show different records?
Each resolver caches DNS answers independently and only refreshes when its cached copy expires. During propagation that's expected — some resolvers have already picked up your new record while others are still serving the cached old one. Once every resolver agrees, propagation is complete.
Which DNS record types can I check globally?
You can check A and AAAA (IPv4 and IPv6 addresses), CNAME aliases, MX mail records, TXT records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and domain-verification strings), and NS nameserver records — the record types most affected by migrations and email setup.
Can Narvin monitor my domain automatically?
Yes. Beyond a one-off check, Narvin watches your site's uptime and DNS from multiple regions around the clock and alerts you — by email, Slack, and more — the moment your server stops responding or a record changes unexpectedly.
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