NS Lookup

Use our tool to perform an NSLookup online and verify a domain’s nameserver records. To run a nameserver check, enter a domain name, select a DNS server, and then click NS Lookup.

NS Lookup Tool - Perform Nameserver Lookup

Nameserver lookup tool by Whats My DNS is a free online utility that helps to check the nameserver records of a domain. Name servers are the most crucial records inside the Domain Name System (DNS) setup of a domain.

These records connect your domain with your hosting and make it visible on the internet. Any misconfiguration of the DNS NS record can take a domain offline.

That is where our domain name server lookup tool helps you:

  • Check NS records in DNS setup
  • Verify hosting connections
  • Troubleshoot website issues

How to Run a Nameserver Check?

Our nameserver checker makes it really simple to check NS records for domains. Follow these steps to check nameserver records instantly without the nslookup command.

  • Open the NS Lookup tool by Whats My DNS.
  • Enter the domain name inside the provided field.
  • Select a public DNS server or leave it to the default “Google”.
  • Click on the “Check nameserver records” button to initiate the NSlookup online for the given domain.

Once the NS lookup process is completed, you will see NS records for the provided domain on your screen.

Results Our Nameserver Checker Provides

When you check domain nameservers using our NS record lookup tool, it gives you organized results that include:

  • Canonical names of all the nameservers that the domain is configured to use
  • TTL (Time to Live) values
  • AS number

You can also view the results in raw form by clicking “Show Raw”.

Nameserver Lookup via NS Lookup Command

You can also check NS records of domains manually using the nslookup command. The actual steps can vary with the operating system (OS) of the device.

How to Perform NS Lookup on Windows?

You can check nameservers of a domain on Windows using the command prompt. To do this:
  • Press “Win+R” to open the run menu
  • Type “cmd”, press ‘Enter’
  • Run the command “nslookup -q=ns example.com”. Replace “example.com” with the domain whose nameserver you want to check.
  • Press “Enter”.

You will see some text. The NS record is found under the label “Non-authoritative Answer”.

How to Perform NS Lookup on Mac/Linux?

To perform a namerserver check of a domain on Mac or Linux, follow these steps:
  • Open the terminal.
    • For Linux: Press “Ctrl+Alt+T” to open the terminal.
    • For Mac: Press “Command+Space” and type “terminal.app” and hit Enter.
  • Once in the terminal, enter the following command:
    • “dig example.com NS”
    • Replace example.com with the domain name of your choice.
  • Press “Enter” to get the record. Your NS record will be found under the “Answer Section”.

Why Use Our NSLookup Tool to Check NS Records?

Our name server checker provides a smooth and reliable way to check domain nameservers. Here is what makes it worth using:

  • No technical command knowledge is needed.
  • It instantly checks NS records and provides detailed results. Just enter a domain name and run the nameservers lookup.
  • Let’s you check name server records using different public DNS servers.
  • Fast and accurate results in seconds.
  • No signup or login needed.
  • Clean and simple interface.

So, you can check nameservers of a domain anytime without any hassle.

When Should You Use Our NS Lookup Tool?

This NSLookup tool by Whats My DNS helps in the following situations:

  • After changing your hosting provider
  • When setting up a new domain
  • If your website is not loading
  • When checking DNS updates
  • Before troubleshooting domain issues

Using our NS record lookup tool at the right time can save you a lot of effort.

Common Nameserver Lookup Issues

Sometimes you may not get the expected results when you perform an NS lookup or a name server check. This is usually normal and happens due to DNS behavior.

Showing Old Nameserver Records

This happens due to DNS propagation. After updating nameservers, it can take 24 to 48 hours to reflect everywhere.

It’s better to check DNS propagation status first. Once propagated, lookup namerservers again.

Different Results on Different DNS Servers

There are different types of DNS servers. Some DNS servers update faster than others. So, results may vary during propagation. This will fix automatically over time.

No Nameserver Records Found

This may happen if the domain is new or DNS is not set up yet. Check your domain DNS settings to fix it.

Incorrect Nameservers Displayed

This usually means wrong nameservers are added. You should verify them in your domain registrar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Name Server Record?

A Name Server (NS) record is a type of DNS record that describes which DNS servers are considered authoritative for a domain. The authoritative DNS server contains the original DNS records and is queried by a resolver when it is looking up a domain for the first time.

Can I change the authoritative name servers for my domain?

Yes, you can change them anytime. You just need to log in to your domain registrar account and update the name server settings. After that, the changes will start working across the internet.

What is the difference between DNS Lookup and NS Lookup?

Performing a DNS lookup means checking a domain’s DNS records, including the NS record. While performing an NS lookup only retrieves a domain’s nameserver records.

How long does it take for Name Server changes to propagate?

It usually takes a few hours, but in some cases it can take up to 24 to 48 hours. This delay happens because DNS servers around the world need time to update their records.