---
title: "Using dig to Query DNS — A Beginner's Guide"
language: en
topics: ["linux", "networking", "server"]
full_article_url: https://willem.com/en/2019-05-24_dig-for-dummies/
---
# Using dig to Query DNS — A Beginner's Guide

*The most useful terminal command for debugging domains, email, and web hosting.*

> The dig command lets you query DNS servers directly — check if your domain points to the right IP, verify your mail server's MX records, debug SPF settings, and understand how the internet's naming system works.

`dig` is the Swiss Army knife for DNS troubleshooting. Need to check if your domain's A record points to the right server? `dig example.com A`. Want to verify your mail server's MX records? `dig example.com MX`. Debugging email deliverability? `dig example.com TXT` shows your SPF record.



The output looks intimidating at first, but the key section is the ANSWER section — it shows exactly what the DNS server returned.

Useful variations:
- `dig @8.8.8.8 example.com` — query Google's DNS specifically
- `dig +short example.com` — just the answer, no metadata
- `dig example.com ANY` — show all records

Willem uses dig daily when configuring servers, debugging email delivery, and verifying DNS changes have propagated.

From Willem's [self-hosting collection](https://willem.com/en/self-hosting-running-your-own-infrastructure-on-linux/).