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How to Check What DNS Server You're Using

2 min read •
Beginner DNS Networking Privacy How-To

Quick Answer: Use our instant DNS checker — it detects your DNS server automatically. Or: Windows — nslookup google.com in Command Prompt shows your DNS server. Mac/Linux — cat /etc/resolv.conf shows configured DNS. All devices — visit our DNS Toolbox.

Check Instantly

Visit What's My DNS — it detects which DNS resolver your device is using right now.

Check on Windows

Command Prompt

nslookup google.com

The first two lines show your DNS server: 

Server:  dns.google
Address:  8.8.8.8

PowerShell

Get-DnsClientServerAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 | Select InterfaceAlias, ServerAddresses

Settings

Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi (or Ethernet) → click your connection → DNS server assignment

Check on Mac

scutil --dns | grep nameserver | head -5

Or: System Settings → Network → WiFi → Details → DNS

Check on Linux

# systemd-resolved (Ubuntu 18+)
resolvectl status | grep "DNS Servers"

# Or check resolv.conf
cat /etc/resolv.conf | grep nameserver

# Or use nmcli
nmcli dev show | grep DNS

Check on iPhone

Settings → WiFi → tap (i) next to your network → scroll to DNS section

Check on Android

Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS (shows if custom DNS is set)

For the current active DNS: install a DNS checker app or visit our DNS checker in the browser.

What Should My DNS Be?

DNS Server IP Speed Privacy
Your ISP Varies Usually slow ISP logs your queries
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 Fastest No logging
Google 8.8.8.8 Fast Some logging
Quad9 9.9.9.9 Fast No logging, blocks malware

If your DNS shows your ISP's server, consider switching to Cloudflare or Google for faster, more private browsing. See our How to Change DNS Server guide.

Why Does DNS Matter?

  • Speed — Slow DNS means every website takes longer to start loading
  • Privacy — Your DNS server sees every domain you visit
  • Security — Some DNS servers block malware and phishing domains
  • VPN leaks — If your VPN isn't routing DNS through the tunnel, your ISP still sees your browsing

Related Tools

See Also