Zone file

Definition

A zone file is a representation of the DNS records published for a DNS zone.

How it works

The classic zone file is a plain-text format listing a zone's records and directives, and it remains the common currency for moving DNS data between providers — even though most now store the same data in databases behind a control panel. Whatever the storage, it is the zone's authoritative nameservers that publish the records to the world.

Example: A zone can contain SOA, NS, A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, and TXT records for a domain and its subdomains.

Often confused: A DNS zone is the delegated administrative portion of the namespace; a zone file is one way to write its records down.

Related terms

• Authoritative nameserver
• DNS record
• Domain Name System (DNS)
• Nameserver

Learn more from Bitfoo

• Plan a controlled DNS cutover

Sources

• IETF RFC 1034: Domain Names — Concepts and Facilities
• IETF RFC 1035: Domain Names — Implementation and Specification

Last reviewed 2026-07-19.