DNS guide

DNS Propagation — How to Check If Your Changes Are Live

DNS propagation is the time it takes for a DNS change to spread across the internet's resolvers. Most changes take minutes to hours — but some can take up to 48 hours. Here's how to check propagation status in real time.

Why propagation takes time

DNS resolvers cache records for a period defined by the TTL (Time To Live) value. Until the cache expires, resolvers serve the old record. Lower TTL = faster propagation.

Typical propagation times

A record: minutes to 4 hours MX record: 1-4 hours TXT record: minutes to 4 hours CNAME: minutes to 4 hours NS record: 24-48 hours (slowest)

How to check

Use DomainPreflight Propagation checker — enter your domain, select record type, see live results from five resolvers simultaneously.

Check propagation now

Open Propagation checker →

Step by step

Step 1 Make your DNS change.
Step 2 Lower TTL to 300 seconds BEFORE making changes (if possible).
Step 3 After making the change, run Propagation checker immediately.
Step 4 Select the record type you changed.
Step 5 Check every 15-30 minutes until all five resolvers show the new record.

FAQ

How long does DNS propagation take?

Most changes: minutes to 4 hours. NS record changes: up to 48 hours. Lower your TTL before changing to speed it up.

Why does my DNS change show for me but not others?

Different resolvers have different caches. Your ISP's resolver may have already updated while others haven't.

How do I speed up DNS propagation?

Lower your TTL to 300 seconds (5 min) before making changes. After the change is live everywhere, raise TTL back to 3600.

How do I check if my DNS has propagated?

Use DomainPreflight Propagation checker — it queries five different resolvers simultaneously and shows each result.

Is propagation complete when DomainPreflight shows all five green?

That means the five major resolvers (Cloudflare, Google) have updated. Other resolvers worldwide may take longer but these cover the majority.