A record
An A record is a DNS record that maps a hostname to an IPv4 address.
- Format
- Domains & DNS
- Updated
- Updated
A record Aliases: IPv4 address record.
Definition
An A record is a DNS record that maps a hostname to an IPv4 address.
How it works
The A record answers the most basic question in DNS: what address should I connect to for this name? You can point your root domain or any subdomain at your server's IPv4 address, and browsers take it from there. Keep in mind it only hands out an address — it cannot redirect a visitor or choose a page for them.
Example: The A record for www.example.com might point to 192.0.2.10, the address of the server hosting the site.
Often confused: An AAAA record does the same job for IPv6, and a CNAME points one hostname at another name instead of an address.
Related terms
Learn more from Bitfoo
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-07-19.