# dig Command Reference
## What it does
Advanced DNS lookup tool with more detailed output and flexibility than nslookup. Preferred by network professionals.
## Basic Usage
```bash
dig google.com # Basic A record lookup
dig @8.8.8.8 google.com # Use specific DNS server
dig google.com +short # Show only the answer
```
## Record Type Queries
| Record Type | Command | Description |
|-------------|---------|-------------|
| `A` | `dig google.com A` | IPv4 address (default) |
| `AAAA` | `dig google.com AAAA` | IPv6 address |
| `MX` | `dig google.com MX` | Mail exchange records |
| `NS` | `dig google.com NS` | Name servers |
| `TXT` | `dig google.com TXT` | Text records |
| `CNAME` | `dig www.github.com CNAME` | Canonical name |
| `SOA` | `dig google.com SOA` | Start of authority |
## Output Control
```bash
# Short answer only
dig google.com +short
# No additional info
dig google.com +noall +answer
# Trace full DNS path
dig google.com +trace
# Reverse DNS lookup
dig -x 8.8.8.8
```
## Advanced Options
| Argument | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| `+short` | Show only the answer |
| `+trace` | Trace delegation path |
| `+noall +answer` | Show only answer section |
| `+tcp` | Use TCP instead of UDP |
| `+time=N` | Set query timeout |
| `-x IP` | Reverse DNS lookup |
## Quick Commands
```bash
# Clean output (just IP)
dig google.com +short
# Mail servers
dig gmail.com MX +short
# All DNS records
dig google.com ANY
# Reverse lookup
dig -x 142.250.191.46 +short
# Trace DNS resolution
dig google.com +trace
```
## Query Specific Servers
```bash
# Google DNS
dig @8.8.8.8 google.com
# Cloudflare DNS
dig @1.1.1.1 google.com
# Compare multiple servers
dig @8.8.8.8 @1.1.1.1 google.com
```
## Reading Results
```bash
;; QUESTION SECTION:
;google.com. IN A
;; ANSWER SECTION:
google.com. 300 IN A 142.250.191.46
```
- `QUESTION` → What was asked
- `ANSWER` → The response
- `300` → TTL (time to live) in seconds
- `IN` → Internet class
- `A` → Record type
## Pro Tips
> - Use `+short` for scripts and automation
> - `+trace` shows the full DNS resolution path
> - More reliable and detailed than nslookup
> - Perfect for DNS troubleshooting