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CNAME Lookup: Check CNAME Records of a Domain

This free CNAME lookup shows where a hostname points. Enter a subdomain such as www.example.com to see its alias, the full chain of CNAME hops and the final IP addresses.

By Debmedia Technologies LLP · Kolkata, India · Updated

What Is a CNAME Lookup?

A CNAME lookup finds the canonical name that a hostname is an alias for. CNAME stands for canonical name. Instead of holding an IP address, the alias simply says, “use the records of that other name.”

CNAME records are everywhere. Website builders, content delivery networks, email services and verification systems all ask you to create one. When something goes wrong, the fastest check is to look at the alias and see where it really leads.

How to Use This Tool

  1. Enter the hostname, for example www.example.com or shop.example.com.
  2. Select a resolver and press Lookup CNAME.
  3. Read the chain from top to bottom. Each row shows a name and where it points.
  4. Check the final table, which lists the IP addresses of the last name in the chain.

How a CNAME Chain Works

A CNAME can point to another CNAME, which forms a chain. The resolver follows each hop until it reaches a name with address records. For example, www.example.com may point to a hosting platform name, which points to a load balancer name, which finally has an A record.

Part of the resultMeaning
NameThe alias you asked about, or a later hop in the chain.
TTLHow long the alias may be cached.
Points toThe canonical name that the alias leads to.
Final target addressesThe IPv4 and IPv6 addresses of the last name.

Rules You Need to Remember

  • No other records at the same name. If www.example.com is a CNAME, it cannot also have an A, MX or TXT record.
  • Not at the zone root. The bare domain must keep its SOA and NS records, so a plain CNAME is not allowed there. Use an A record or your provider’s ALIAS feature.
  • Avoid loops. Two names pointing at each other never resolve. The tool reports a loop when it sees one.
  • MX must not point to a CNAME. Mail servers should have their own address records.

These rules come from the original DNS design in RFC 1034, which describes aliases and canonical names.

Troubleshooting a CNAME

The tool says there is no CNAME

The name may use A or AAAA records directly. Open the complete record viewer to see everything published at that name.

The final target has no address

The alias points to a name that does not resolve. Check the spelling of the target and confirm that the service you are pointing to is still active.

The chain is long

Every extra hop adds a lookup. If speed matters, ask your provider whether you can point directly at the final name. The setup validator can also flag conflicts at the same name.

When to Use a CNAME Lookup

Use a CNAME lookup after connecting a custom domain to a hosting or email service, and whenever a verification step says your alias could not be found. It shows the exact target your DNS publishes today.

Frequently Asked Questions

A CNAME record makes one hostname an alias of another. Visitors who open the alias are sent to the canonical name and then to its IP address.
Normally no. The root of a zone must hold NS and SOA records, and a CNAME cannot share a name with other records. Some providers offer ALIAS or flattening instead.
The name may use A or AAAA records directly, or the record may not have propagated yet. Check the name for typos and try the DNS lookup tool.
Keep it as short as possible. Each hop adds a lookup and delay, and long chains are harder to maintain. One or two hops is typical.

Disclaimer: results come from live requests and can change as records and servers change. We cannot guarantee that every answer matches what every visitor sees.