What Is My DNS Server?

Your DNS server is like the phonebook of the internet — it translates website names (like google.com) into IP addresses that computers can understand. Knowing which DNS server you're using can help with troubleshooting, speed, and online privacy.

What Does a DNS Server Do?

Whenever you type a website address into your browser, your DNS (Domain Name System) server looks up the corresponding IP address and sends it back so your browser can connect. Without DNS, you'd have to remember long strings of numbers for every website you visit.

Common DNS Providers

ISP default DNS (often slower and logs activity)
Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4)
Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1)
OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220)

Why Does Your DNS Matter for Privacy?

Even if your web traffic is encrypted, your DNS requests reveal which websites you visit. Your ISP, network admin, or a malicious actor can see this data if you're not careful. This is called DNS leak, and it can compromise your privacy.

Pro Tip: Using a trusted VPN with private DNS can hide your DNS queries from your ISP and keep your browsing history private.

How to Check Your DNS Server

On Windows: Open Command Prompt and type nslookup google.com — the "Server" line shows your DNS.
On macOS: Open Terminal and type scutil --dns | grep 'nameserver\[[0-9]*\]'.
On Linux: Check /etc/resolv.conf for your nameserver entries.
Use online tools: Many websites show your DNS server instantly.

While you're here, you can also run our VPN Leak Test to see if your DNS is exposed.

Best Tools to Hide Your DNS

To protect your DNS privacy, use a VPN that offers:

Encrypted DNS requests
No DNS leaks
Private DNS servers

Our Top Picks for DNS Privacy

NordVPN Affiliate – Private DNS, DNS leak protection, audited no-logs policy.
Surfshark Affiliate – Encrypted DNS, CleanWeb ad blocker, unlimited devices.

Get NordVPN for DNS Privacy

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Final Thoughts

Your DNS server plays a huge role in your online experience — both in speed and privacy. By knowing what DNS server you're using and taking steps to secure it, you can browse faster and safer. A VPN with private DNS is the easiest way to make sure your online activity stays yours alone.