What Is My DNS Server?
Find out which DNS resolver your connection is using
Detecting your DNS server...
What Is DNS?
DNS (Domain Name System) is the internet's phone book. When you type "google.com" into your browser, DNS translates that human-readable name into an IP address (like 142.250.80.46) that computers use to route traffic. Without DNS, you'd have to memorize IP addresses for every website you visit.
Every time you visit a website, send an email, or use an app that connects to the internet, a DNS lookup happens first. Your device asks a DNS resolver (the "DNS server" shown above) to look up the IP address for the domain. The resolver checks its cache, and if it doesn't have the answer, it queries authoritative DNS servers in a chain until it finds the correct IP.
Why Your DNS Server Matters
Speed: A slow DNS resolver adds latency to every new website you visit. The lookup typically takes 20-120ms, but a slow or distant DNS server can take 200ms+. Switching to a faster DNS provider can make browsing feel noticeably snappier. Privacy: Your DNS resolver sees every domain you visit. If you're using your ISP's default DNS, your ISP has a complete log of your browsing activity — even if you're using HTTPS. Security: Some DNS providers offer built-in malware and phishing protection by blocking known malicious domains.
Best DNS Providers
- Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) — Fastest public DNS resolver. Strong privacy commitment: no logging of client IP addresses, logs purged within 24 hours. Supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS.
- Google (8.8.8.8) — Highly reliable with global anycast coverage. Logs some data for debugging but anonymizes it within 48 hours. The most widely used public DNS.
- Quad9 (9.9.9.9) — Non-profit DNS with built-in malware and phishing blocking. Blocks known malicious domains automatically. Strong privacy policy, based in Switzerland.
- OpenDNS (208.67.222.222) — Owned by Cisco. Offers content filtering options for families. Good for parental controls but does log queries.
To change your DNS: On Windows, go to Network settings → Change adapter options → IPv4 properties. On macOS, System Settings → Network → DNS. On your router, find DNS settings in the admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1). Changing DNS on your router applies to all devices on your network. If you're using a VPN, verify your DNS queries are routed through the VPN with our VPN leak test.