If you ever hear the term DNS records, it simply refers to background instructions that help your website and email work properly. Most users will never need to change DNS records; but understanding what they are can help make sense of how sites and emails function.
Think of DNS Like a Delivery System
Imagine your domain name (like yourchurch.org) is your church’s street address.
DNS records are the instructions that tell the internet:
Where to send website visitors
Where to deliver email
Which company handles your email
You don’t see these instructions, they work quietly behind the scenes.
The 3 Most Common DNS Records Related to Email
Even if you never edit them, these are the three most common types.
1. MX Records – Where Email Is Delivered
An MX record tells the internet:
“Send email for this domain to this email provider.”
For example:
If your church uses Google Workspace, the MX record sends email to Google.
If you use Microsoft 365, the MX record sends email to Microsoft.
Without MX records, email would not know where to go.
If someone sends a message to info@yourchurch.org, the MX record makes sure it reaches the correct inbox.
2. A Record (Address Record)
An A record connects your domain name to a server.
When someone types your domain into a browser (for example, yourchurch.org), the A record tells the internet which server hosts your website.
In simple terms:
The A record tells the internet where your website lives.
It connects a name (like yourchurch.org) to a numeric server address behind the scenes.
Without an A record, your website would not load.
3. CNAME Records – Verification & Security
A CNAME record connects one domain name to another domain name.
It acts like an alias.
For example:
www.yourchurch.orgcan point toyourchurch.org
This allows multiple versions of your domain to load the same website.
In simple terms:
A CNAME makes one name point to another name.
CNAME records are often used for:
Connecting subdomains
Linking external services
Verifying services with your domain
Important to Know
Most church or school administrators will never need to edit DNS records.
They are usually:
Set up when your domain or email is first configured
Managed by your hosting provider or IT administrator
Only adjusted if your email provider changes
Simple Summary
DNS records are invisible instructions that help:
Email get delivered to the right provider
Your domain connect to the right services
Keep email secure and verified