What Is a DNS Server Address?

A DNS server address identifies a resolver or other DNS server your device can contact to look up names. It is different from the name being looked up.

Examples at a glance

Public DNS resolvers

Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8
Another address for the service is 8.8.4.4.
Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1
Another address for the service is 1.0.0.1.

A local resolver

Router example: 192.168.1.1
Some networks use their router to relay DNS. The value varies.

Documentation only

Example server: 192.0.2.53
An illustrative address, not a resolver to configure.

A local router may relay DNS

Some networks supply the router’s address as the resolver; others supply separate IPv4 or IPv6 servers. Use values supplied by your network operator rather than copying documentation addresses into live settings.

Resolver versus authoritative server

A recursive resolver helps clients obtain answers. An authoritative server publishes DNS data for a zone. Their roles differ even when software or infrastructure supports both.

DNS and gateway are separate

DNS resolves names; the default gateway forwards traffic. Changing DNS does not change your own device’s IP address or automatically fix every connectivity problem.