TXT Record Lookup
Look up TXT records for any domain. Instantly verify your SPF policies, DMARC rules, and domain ownership records.
What is a TXT Record?
Think of a TXT record as a digital sticky note attached to your website's domain name.
While other DNS records tell the internet where to send web traffic or email, a TXT (Text) record is just there to hold information. Any outside computer or service can read this sticky note to verify information about your domain. This makes it the perfect tool for proving you own a website or setting up security rules.
Common Uses for TXT Records
The modern internet relies heavily on TXT records for two main reasons.
Email Security
To stop scammers from sending fake emails pretending to be you, major email providers require you to set up security rules.
- SPF: Lists who is allowed to send email for you.
- DMARC: Tells servers what to do with fake emails.
Domain Verification
Before a service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 lets you manage a domain, they need to know you actually own it.
They will give you a random code and ask you to put it in a TXT record. Because only the true owner has access to the DNS settings, this proves your identity safely.
Trying to verify your domain?
If you are trying to set up Google Workspace, Google Search Console, or Microsoft 365, you will need to add a specific TXT record to your DNS settings. The changes can take a few minutes to appear in our lookup tool above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a TXT record?
A TXT (Text) record is a type of DNS record that holds text information for outside sources to read. It does not direct web traffic. Instead, it provides information about your domain to other computers, usually for security or verification purposes.
Can a domain have multiple TXT records?
Yes. It is very common for a single domain to have multiple TXT records. For example, you might have one TXT record for your SPF email policy, another for your DMARC policy, and a third to prove you own the domain to Google.
What does a TXT record look like?
A TXT record is usually a simple string of text. For example, an SPF record looks like this: 'v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all'. A Google verification record looks like this: 'google-site-verification=AbC123XYZ'.
How long does a TXT record take to update?
Like all DNS changes, a new TXT record can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to update across the internet. This depends entirely on your domain's TTL (Time to Live) settings. Lowering your TTL before making a change speeds up the process.
What is an SPF record?
SPF stands for Sender Policy Framework. It is a specific type of TXT record that lists all the IP addresses and servers that are officially allowed to send emails using your domain name. It is crucial for stopping spam and phishing.