What is DNS propagation and how to check it
Updated 10/23/2026
When you change a DNS record, the change is not seen instantly everywhere. DNS servers around the world keep the old values until the cache expires (TTL). This is the propagation process.
What is TTL
TTL (Time To Live) says how long servers keep a record cached, in seconds. A TTL of 3600 means the change may only appear after an hour.
How to check a record
dig example.com
dig example.com A +short
nslookup example.comCheck from a specific DNS server
dig @8.8.8.8 example.com +shortTips
- Before a planned move, lower the TTL (for example to 300) a day ahead, so the change propagates quickly.
- Full propagation can take up to 24-48 hours in rare cases, although it is usually much faster.
- Flush your local DNS cache if you see old values only on your machine.
To link the domain correctly, see How to point a domain to your VPS.
Put this guide into practice on your own VPS
EU cloud servers, billed hourly, ready in minutes, with one-click installs for dozens of apps.
See pricingRelated tutorials
How to find your IP address on Windows: public and local
Find your public IP address in a second and your local IP from Settings, Command Prompt or PowerShell, on Windows 10 and 11.
Updated 10/23/2026Networking & DNSHow to find your IP address on Linux: public and local
Find your public and local IP address on Linux: ip addr, hostname -I, GNOME Settings and the right way on a headless server.
Updated 10/23/2026Networking & DNSEmail DNS records: SPF, DKIM and DMARC
Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC so your emails reach the inbox, not spam.
Updated 10/23/2026