NS Lookup
What Is an NS Lookup?
An NS (Nameserver) lookup queries the DNS to find the authoritative nameservers responsible for a domain. Nameservers are the backbone of the Domain Name System - they store the DNS records for a domain and respond to queries from resolvers around the world. When you visit a website, your device ultimately reaches the domain's authoritative nameservers to find the correct IP address.
Every domain registered on the internet must have at least two nameservers for redundancy. These are typically provided by your DNS hosting provider or domain registrar. Common nameserver providers include Cloudflare (ns1.cloudflare.com), AWS Route 53, Google Cloud DNS, and registrar defaults like those from GoDaddy or Namecheap. Having nameservers in different geographic locations and networks ensures your domain remains accessible even if one server experiences issues.
The DNS delegation process starts at the top-level domain (TLD) registry. When you set nameservers for your domain at your registrar, the registrar communicates this to the TLD registry (like Verisign for .com or the .nl registry for Dutch domains). The TLD servers then store NS records pointing to your authoritative nameservers, creating a chain of delegation from the root servers down to your domain's records.
Understanding your domain's nameserver configuration is essential for troubleshooting DNS issues. If your nameservers are misconfigured, your domain may become unreachable, email delivery may fail, and SSL certificate validation could break. Our NS lookup tool shows you exactly which nameservers are authoritative for a domain, along with their resolved IP addresses.
After checking nameservers, use our DNS Lookup tool to query specific record types, verify propagation across global resolvers with DNS Propagation, or check all TXT records for a domain including SPF and verification entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a nameserver?
A nameserver is a specialized server that translates domain names into IP addresses and stores DNS records for a domain. When you register a domain, you point it to nameservers that hold the authoritative DNS records. These servers respond to queries from DNS resolvers worldwide, directing traffic to the correct servers.
What is the difference between authoritative and recursive nameservers?
Authoritative nameservers hold the definitive DNS records for a domain and provide answers directly. Recursive nameservers (resolvers) like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 or Google's 8.8.8.8 query authoritative servers on your behalf and cache the results.
How many nameservers should a domain have?
A domain should have at least two nameservers for redundancy. Most DNS providers assign two to four nameservers located in different geographic regions and networks, ensuring the domain remains accessible if one server goes down.
How do I change my domain's nameservers?
You change nameservers through your domain registrar's control panel. Replace the existing nameservers with the new ones from your DNS provider. Changes typically propagate within a few hours but can take up to 48 hours.