How long does DNS propagation take?

Normally 15–60 minutes with TTL 3600. With TTL 300 often 5–15 minutes. After 48 hours with old values there's usually a configuration error.

Which DNS records do I need for email?

At minimum MX (mail server), SPF as TXT record, recommended DKIM and DMARC. Details in our SPF/DKIM/DMARC guide.

How do I connect my Minecraft server via domain?

With A record (IP + port manually) or SRV record (players don't need port). SRV guide: Minecraft SRV record guide.

DNS Records Explained – Configure A, AAAA, MX, TXT & SRV Correctly

Quick answer: DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names like myshop.com into IP addresses computers understand. For hosting, email and game servers you need A, MX, TXT and often SRV records – set correctly they determine reachability, deliverability and performance.

This guide is the complete DNS guide for hosting, websites, email and game servers – not just a basics explanation.

How DNS works
All DNS record types explained
Practical examples (website, email, game server)
Choosing TTL correctly
Understanding DNS propagation
Cloudflare & DNS
Common errors & troubleshooting
Security & performance

How DNS works – step by step

When someone visits nexorahost.com, this happens:

Browser queries DNS resolver (usually your ISP or 1.1.1.1 / 8.8.8.8)
Resolver queries root server → "Who manages .com?"
Resolver queries TLD nameserver → "Who manages nexorahost.com?"
Resolver queries authoritative nameserver → returns A record (IP)
Browser connects to IP – website loads

This typically takes 20–120 ms. DNS is therefore a performance factor – slow nameservers = slower first page load.

More on nameservers: Change & configure nameservers

All DNS record types explained

DNS record types: A, MX, TXT and SRV overview — Each record type has its own purpose – nameservers determine where they are managed.

Type	Purpose	Example	When do you need it?
A	Domain → IPv4	`myshop.com → 93.184.216.34`	Website, game server (direct IP)
AAAA	Domain → IPv6	`myshop.com → 2001:db8::1`	IPv6-capable servers
CNAME	Alias to another domain	`www → myshop.com`	Subdomains, CDN, Cloudflare
MX	Mail server	`mail.myshop.com (priority 10)`	Receiving email
TXT	Text records	`v=spf1 include:...`	SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification
SRV	Service + port	`_minecraft._tcp → mc.server.com:25565`	Minecraft, Teamspeak, SIP
NS	Zone nameservers	`ns1.nexorahost.de`	Set at registrar

Practical examples

Example 1: Connect website to web hosting

A     @       93.184.216.34    TTL 3600
A     www     93.184.216.34    TTL 3600
# Or:
CNAME www     myshop.com       TTL 3600

Result: visitors reach your website via domain and www subdomain. Then set up SSL: SSL guide.

Example 2: Email DNS (SPF + DKIM + DMARC)

MX    @       mail.myshop.com   Priority 10
TXT   @       "v=spf1 mx a -all"
TXT   default._domainkey  "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=MIIB..."
TXT   _dmarc  "v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:[email protected]"

Full guide: Set up SPF, DKIM & DMARC

Example 3: Minecraft server via domain (SRV record)

A     mc      192.168.1.100    TTL 3600
SRV   _minecraft._tcp  mc.myshop.com  0 5 25565  mc.myshop.com

Players connect with mc.myshop.com – no port needed. Details: Minecraft SRV record guide

Example 4: Activate Cloudflare CDN

A     @       93.184.216.34    Proxy ON (orange cloud)
CNAME www     myshop.com       Proxy ON
# Never proxy mail records:
MX    @       mail.provider.com  DNS only (grey cloud)
TXT   @       "v=spf1 ..."       DNS only

Cloudflare setup: Cloudflare DNS guide

Choosing TTL correctly – performance vs. flexibility

TTL	Duration	When to use?
300	5 min	Before server migration, planned DNS changes
3600	1 hr	Standard for most setups
86400	24 hr	Stable records, maximum cache performance

Pro tip: Lower TTL to 300 48 hours before migration → migrate → after successful propagation raise back to 3600.

DNS propagation – how long does it really take?

Normal: 15–60 minutes (TTL 3600)
With TTL 300: 5–15 minutes
Maximum: up to 48 hours (rare, usually ISP cache)

Check propagation: dig myshop.com +short, whatsmydns.net, dnschecker.org

If old values appear after 48 hours → nameserver or record wrong, not "propagation".

Cloudflare & DNS – when does it make sense?

Cloudflare offers free CDN, DDoS protection and fast DNS (<10 ms). Useful for WordPress/shops with international traffic and Core Web Vitals issues.

Not ideal for: Pure mail servers (MX must not be proxied), some game server UDP setups.

→ Set up Cloudflare · Switch nameservers to Cloudflare

Common DNS errors & troubleshooting

Website not reachable

Check A record points to correct IP
Nameservers correct? (Nameserver guide)
Cloudflare: check proxy mode (orange vs grey)
Server firewall: ports 80/443 open?
Waited for propagation?

Emails not arriving / landing in spam

MX record present and correct?
SPF set? (SPF guide)
DKIM enabled at mail provider?
DMARC policy defined?

Security & performance

DNSSEC: Protects against DNS spoofing
DMARC: Protects your domain from email spoofing
Fast nameservers: Cloudflare, NexoraHost DNS
Unlimited records at NexoraHost: No 50–100 record limits like many large hosts

Related guides

FAQ

What's the difference between A record and CNAME?

A record points directly to an IP. CNAME redirects to another domain name – never both for the same name. Root domain (@) technically cannot be CNAME.

Why does www work but not the root domain?

Often the A record for @ (root) is missing. www has CNAME or its own A record, @ doesn't. Set both separately.

Manage domain & DNS: panel.nexorahost.de

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