NETWORK TOOLS

Reverse DNS Lookup 🔍

Find the hostname associated with an IPv4 or IPv6 address by checking its reverse DNS (PTR) record.

IPv4 & IPv6PTR recordsQuick lookup

Use this reverse DNS lookup/reverse ip lookup tool to convert an IP to domain and hostname (PTR record). Need domain records? Try → DNS Lookup.

Reverse DNS Lookup Tool (PTR)

Reverse DNS Lookup FAQ

What is reverse DNS?

Reverse DNS (rDNS) is a DNS lookup that converts an IP address into a hostname. This is stored in a PTR record. Not every IP has a PTR record configured.

What is a PTR record?

A PTR record is the reverse of an A/AAAA record. Instead of domain → IP, it maps IP → hostname. PTR records are commonly used for mail server validation, logging, and network troubleshooting.

Why does reverse DNS sometimes return nothing?

Many consumer IP addresses have no PTR record set, or they return a generic hostname from the ISP. If you are checking a server IP, you may need to configure rDNS at your hosting provider.

How does reverse DNS help investigate network activity?

Reverse DNS lookup allows you to see which domain name is associated with an IP address. This can be useful when investigating unknown servers, identifying hosting providers or understanding where traffic originates from. Security researchers and network administrators often use reverse DNS during incident analysis.

How is this different from DNS lookup?

A regular DNS lookup checks records for a domain (A, MX, TXT, NS…). Reverse DNS checks the PTR record for an IP address.

Who controls reverse DNS records?

PTR records are usually managed by whoever controls the IP address block, such as an ISP or hosting provider. If you need a custom reverse DNS hostname for a server, request it from the IP provider or use their control panel.