DNS Propagation Checker

Check DNS propagation for a domain across multiple global resolvers to see if your DNS changes have spread.

About DNS Propagation

When you change a DNS record, the change does not take effect everywhere simultaneously. DNS resolvers around the world cache records for a period defined by the record's TTL (Time to Live). Until those caches expire and resolvers re-query the authoritative nameserver, some users may see the old value and others the new one. This period is called DNS propagation.

How long does propagation take?

Propagation time depends primarily on the TTL of the record being changed:

If the old record had a TTL of 3600 (1 hour), propagation can take up to 1 hour plus the time for all resolvers to re-query.
If you set the TTL to 300 (5 minutes) before making the change, propagation is much faster.
Practically, most of the global resolver population sees the change within 15 minutes to a few hours. "48 hours" is an outdated worst case from the era of very long TTLs.

How this tool works

This tool queries multiple public DNS resolvers located around the world — including Google, Cloudflare, OpenDNS, and others — and reports the answer each one is returning. If all resolvers return the same value, the change has fully propagated. If some still return the old value, propagation is still in progress for those network segments.

Tips for faster propagation

Reduce TTL in advance — Lower the TTL of the record you plan to change to 300 seconds (5 minutes) at least one hour before making the change. After the change and propagation, restore the TTL to a higher value.
Check ISP caches — Some ISPs override TTLs and cache records longer than specified. End-user propagation may lag behind what this tool shows.

Frequently asked questions

How long does DNS propagation take?

DNS propagation typically takes 1–48 hours. The TTL on the old record determines how long caches hold the old value. A TTL of 3600s means resolvers may cache the old record for up to 1 hour after the change.

Why do different locations show different results?

Each DNS resolver checks its own cache. Until the TTL expires on each resolver worldwide, they return the cached (old) value. That's why propagation isn't instant.