How to use the DNS Resolution Visualizer
- 1. Enter a domainAny name, such as www.uncodemy.com, and the record type.
- 2. Set the starting pointChoose what's already cached and which resolver you use.
- 3. AnimateWatch each question and answer, then copy the dig command to see the real path.
How a lookup works
When you type a web address, the browser first checks its own cache, then asks the operating system, which checks the hosts file and its cache. If nobody has the answer, the OS asks a recursive resolver (your ISP's, or a public one like 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1). The resolver asks a root server, which refers it to the top-level domain servers (.com, .in…), which refer it to the domain's authoritative name servers, which give the answer. Every answer carries a TTL that says how long it may be cached. Many sites use a CNAME to a CDN, which adds another lookup. Nothing is actually looked up, so the domain you type isn't sent anywhere.
Worked example
Resolving www.uncodemy.com with nothing cached and a CNAME to a CDN takes 8 steps: browser cache miss, OS miss, the question to the resolver, the root server's referral to the .com servers (a.gtld-servers.net), the .com referral to the domain's name servers, the CNAME answer, the CDN's address (shown as the documentation address 203.0.113.10) with a 300-second TTL, and the answer back to the browser. Choose Cached at the resolver and it drops to 4 steps.
Try it for real
dig +trace www.example.comshows the real servers and records step by step.nslookupworks on Windows;resolvectl statusshows your resolver on Linux.- Before changing DNS records, lower the TTL a day ahead so the change spreads quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Why do DNS changes take time to appear?
Resolvers keep cached answers until their TTL expires, so old records can linger for that long.
Is DNS encrypted?
Traditionally no. DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) encrypt the queries between you and the resolver.
Is the DNS visualizer free?
Yes. You can open the DNS visualizer and try everything without signing up. When you see all steps for the first time, we ask once for your name and WhatsApp number; after that it, and every other Uncodemy tool, opens straight away.