A, CNAME, and MX DNS Records Explained: What Each One Does

DNS records are instructions that help computers locate domains on the internet by mapping domain names to IP addresses or other routing information. An A record translates a domain name into the IP address of the server hosting a website, making it fundamental for web traffic. A CNAME record creates an alias pointing one domain or subdomain to another, allowing multiple domains to share the same server without duplicating IP address entries. MX records direct incoming emails to the correct mail server for a domain, and can be assigned priority levels so that backup servers handle delivery if the primary one is unavailable. Together, these three record types form the backbone of how websites are reached and how email is routed across the internet.