CNAME Lookup
Follow a hostname's CNAME alias through every hop and see where it finally points.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CNAME record?
A CNAME (canonical name) record makes one hostname an alias of another. Resolvers look up the target name instead and return its addresses. It is commonly used to point www or a subdomain at a hosting or CDN provider.
Can I put a CNAME on my root domain?
No. A CNAME cannot share a name with other records, and the root of a domain always has SOA and NS records. Some DNS providers offer ALIAS or ANAME records that behave like a CNAME at the root.
Why does my CNAME lookup say no record found?
The name probably has an A or AAAA record directly, or no record at all. Only names that are actually aliases return a CNAME.
What is a CNAME chain and is a long one bad?
A chain is a CNAME that points to another CNAME. Every extra hop adds a DNS lookup and a point of failure, so keep chains to one or two hops.
What is a CNAME loop?
Two or more names that point to each other, so resolution never ends. Resolvers give up and the site fails to load. Remove one of the records.
Can a CNAME coexist with an MX or TXT record?
No. Where a CNAME exists, no other record type is allowed at that name. This is a frequent cause of broken email verification records.