What is a TXT Record? Explaining DNS Text Entries

The TXT record provides text information to sources outside your domain. The text can be either human or machine-readable and can be used for a variety of purposes. Typically, it contains general information about the domain name and also valuable details for verification purposes and email validation.

The TXT record has the following look in your ClouDNS Control Panel:

Why do you need a TXT record?

The text stored in a TXT record can be used for various purposes. Yet, you mainly need such DNS records for the following reasons:

• Domain ownership verification: Many providers such as Google, Office 365, etc, often require a special verification code via TXT record to be added in your DNS zone. That way, you prove to them you are the actual owner of that particular domain name.
• Email spam prevention: Another common use of the TXT record is for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC domain keys as well.

How does it work?

TXT is an abbreviation for text. You may not be surprised to realize the way that TXT records work is as simple as you can imagine. It allows the domain administrator to enter text into the DNS zone. "Why would the administrator need to enter a text?" you may ask. Because TXT records are commonly used for verifying domain name ownership and to ensure email security.

How to create a DNS TXT record?

Log in to your ClouDNS account, enter your DNS zone management page, and click on the Add new record button. For Type, choose TXT and type as follows:

Type: TXT
TTL: 1 Hour
Host:
Points to: whereveryouwanttopoint

How to add a TXT record - Step by Step video:

How does it prevent Email SPAM?

TXT is widely used for adding SPF records. This is essential for authorizing the email server allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain. With the deprecation of the regular SPF records, the usage of TXT records has been increased significantly as all SPF records must be added as TXT SPF records nowadays.

TXT record vs SPF record

As we already mentioned, SPF records are deprecated and it is recommended to be recreated as TXT SPF records. From this point of view, we can say that those SPF records also have TXT records by their nature. But they are used explicitly for email purposes.

On the other hand, TXT records have a much wider range of usage. TXT records can also be used for publishing DKIM and DMARC records, for proving domain name ownership, and not only.

TXT Record vs CNAME Record

CNAME is a standard DNS record that redirects your domain's subdomain to another domain or hostname. This is its main and only goal.

The TXT record works in a different manner. The TXT record holds human and/or machine-readable text. It cannot redirect your domain to anywhere. It is mostly used for verification purposes and for storing SPF data.

How to check my TXT records?

You can check your TXT records with the following Dig command:

$ dig TXT your-domain.com

You can check the TXT record with Nslookup as well. A sample is shown below:

$ nslookup -type=TXT your-domain.com

In case you prefer an online instrument to check your DNS records, we suggest you try our Free DNS tool.

TXT record length limit 

The maximum length for a TXT record is typically 255 characters. If a record exceeds this limit, it will be broken into multiple strings in a single record. For example, if you need to add a DKIM key with a 2048-bit length, it cannot be entered as a single text string in a DNS record due to the 255-character limit.

The Advantages of TXT Records

TXT records in DNS serve several vital purposes and have various benefits, including the following:

• Better Security: Domain administrators can significantly boost email security by preventing spoofing, guaranteeing email authenticity, and managing email-handling policies by incorporating SPF, DKIM, and DMARC TXT records.
• Domain Ownership Verification: TXT records are used by services such as Google Site Verification and other domain verification procedures to validate domain ownership, allowing administrators to efficiently manage their online presence.
• Flexible and extensible: TXT records are excellent for a variety of uses beyond email and domain verification since they are adaptable and may hold a wide range of textual data.
• Ease of Management: Adding, editing, and deleting TXT records when necessary can be done quickly and easily by administrators using the user-friendly control panel provided by ClouDNS.

How to start managing TXT records for your domain name?

1. Open a Free account from here - it is free forever
2. Verify your e-mail address
3. Log in to your control panel
4. Create a new DNS zone from the CREATE ZONE button - read more here
5. Add the TXT records you need as it is described in this article

Support of TXT records

ClouDNS provides full support for TXT records for all our DNS services, including the ones listed below. Just write to our technical support if you need any assistance with your TXT record's configuration. Our Technical Support team is online for you 24/7 via live chat and tickets.

• Free DNS
• Premium DNS
• DDoS Protected DNS
• GeoDNS

FAQ

Q: How long does it take for a new TXT record to take effect? 

A: It takes some time for a new TXT record to take effect. This time is called DNS propagation, and it can take up to 24 hours, but usually, it is much quicker. 

Q: Can I modify or delete a TXT record once it's been added? 

A: Yes, once a TXT record has been added, it can be modified or deleted through the Control Panel.

Q: Can a TXT record be used in conjunction with other DNS records? 

A: Yes, it can be used together with other DNS records such as A, MX, CNAME, and more.

Q: Can I have multiple TXT records?

A: Absolutely, yes. You can add as many TXT records as you need for your domain. This will not cause any problem.

Q: How often should I update my TXT records?

A: It's good practice to review and update TXT records whenever there are changes to your domain's email configuration, ownership verification, or any other relevant information stored in TXT records.