What is DNS propagation?

DNS propagation is the time it takes for DNS changes (like pointing a domain to a new server) to update across all DNS servers worldwide. When you change nameservers or update a DNS record, each DNS server needs to expire its cached version and fetch the new record. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours depending on the TTL value.

How long does DNS propagation take?

DNS propagation typically takes between 1 and 48 hours. With a low TTL (e.g. 300 seconds / 5 minutes), changes can propagate in under an hour. With a high TTL (e.g. 86400 / 24 hours), it can take a full day. Nameserver changes (moving to a new host) take longer than individual record updates. Use our DNS propagation checker to monitor progress in real time.

How do I check if my DNS has propagated?

Enter your domain into RunHost's free DNS propagation checker, select the record type (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS), and click Check. The tool queries 10+ DNS servers across different regions and shows which servers already have the new record and which still serve the old value.

What DNS record types can I check?

Our DNS propagation checker supports: A records (IPv4 address), AAAA records (IPv6 address), CNAME records (domain alias / redirect), MX records (mail server routing), TXT records (SPF, DKIM, site verification), and NS records (nameservers). These cover all the common records you'd need to verify after a DNS change.

Why is my DNS not propagating?

Common reasons DNS is not propagating: (1) High TTL on the old record — wait for the TTL to expire before checking, (2) The new DNS record has a typo or incorrect value, (3) Your registrar hasn't saved the changes — double-check your DNS control panel, (4) ISP-level caching — some ISPs cache DNS longer than the TTL. Try checking from multiple locations using our global checker.

How do I speed up DNS propagation?

To speed up DNS propagation: (1) Lower your TTL to 300 seconds (5 minutes) at least 24 hours before making changes, (2) Use a fast, authoritative DNS provider like Cloudflare or RunHost nameservers, (3) After making the change, restore TTL to 3600+ for better performance. RunHost customers get fast DNS propagation with our globally distributed nameservers.

What is the difference between A record and CNAME record?

An A record maps a domain name directly to an IPv4 IP address (e.g. example.com → 1.2.3.4). A CNAME record maps a domain to another domain name (e.g. www.example.com → example.com). A records are faster for root domains; CNAMEs are useful for subdomains and when the target IP changes frequently. Only A and AAAA records can be used at the root/apex domain.

RunHost

DNS tools

DNS propagation check.

Check whether your DNS changes have propagated across DNS servers worldwide.

DNS Propagation Check

Enter a domain name and select the record type to check propagation

Global DNS Propagation Checker — Verify A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT & NS Records

Whenever you update your domain's DNS records or switch authoritative nameservers, recursive DNS resolvers around the world cache previous responses based on each record's Time-To-Live (TTL). This period of global cache updating is known as DNS propagation.

RunHost's free DNS Propagation Checker queries global public DNS resolvers (including Google Public DNS, Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, Quad9, OpenDNS, and regional ISP resolvers across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America) in real time to verify whether your new DNS records are live everywhere.

A, AAAA & CNAME Records

Verify IPv4 (A), IPv6 (AAAA), and canonical alias (CNAME) records after migrating your website to RunHost NVMe Web Hosting or a Cloud VPS.

MX & TXT Email Records

Check Mail Exchange (MX) routing and TXT records for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and Google Workspace domain verification to guarantee 100% email deliverability.

Authoritative NS Records

Confirm that root registry nameserver (NS) changes have propagated across global TLD servers, typically completing within 15 minutes to 24 hours depending on TTL.

DNS propagation check.

Global DNS Propagation Checker — Verify A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT & NS Records

A, AAAA & CNAME Records

MX & TXT Email Records

Authoritative NS Records

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