What is a DNS server?

A DNS server translates domain names like google.com into IP addresses that computers use to connect. It acts as the internet's phone book.

How do I change my DNS settings?

Open your device's network settings, find the DNS section, and replace automatic DNS with the IP addresses of your chosen public DNS provider.

Can changing DNS improve internet speed?

Yes. A faster DNS resolver reduces the time to look up websites, making browsing feel snappier. It does not change your download/upload bandwidth.

Is it safe to use public DNS servers?

Yes, reputable public DNS providers like Google, Cloudflare, and Quad9 are safe. Avoid unknown DNS services that may log or redirect your traffic.

What is DNS over HTTPS (DoH)?

DoH encrypts DNS queries using HTTPS, preventing third parties from seeing which websites you visit.

DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to DNS records to prevent tampering and spoofing attacks.

DNS FAQ — Common Questions About Public DNS Servers Answered

A DNS (Domain Name System) server translates human-readable domain names like google.com into numerical IP addresses (like 142.250.80.46) that computers use to connect. Without DNS, you'd need to memorize IP addresses for every website. Think of it as the internet's phone book — you look up a name, and it gives you the number.

DNS settings are found in your device's network configuration. The exact steps depend on your platform:

Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → your connection → Edit DNS.
macOS: System Settings → Network → your connection → DNS tab.
Mobile: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap (i) on your network → Configure DNS.

See our detailed Setup Guide for step-by-step instructions on every platform.

Public DNS servers can offer several advantages over your ISP's default DNS:
• Faster website lookup times
• Built-in malware and phishing protection
• Better privacy with reduced logging
• Ad and tracker blocking (with select providers)
• More reliable uptime and global anycast networks
• Protection against DNS hijacking attacks
• Parental control and content filtering options

Yes — but with an important distinction. DNS affects how quickly your browser finds websites, not your download or upload bandwidth. A faster DNS resolver can shave milliseconds off every new page load, making browsing feel noticeably snappier. This is especially noticeable when visiting sites for the first time or after clearing your DNS cache. Your ISP plan speed (100 Mbps, etc.) stays the same.

Yes — when you choose well-known, reputable providers. Google Public DNS, Cloudflare, Quad9, and OpenDNS are all operated by established organizations with transparent privacy policies. Avoid unknown or suspicious DNS services, as they could monitor your browsing or redirect you to malicious sites. Always verify you're using the correct IP addresses from official sources.

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) encrypts your DNS queries using the same HTTPS protocol that secures websites. Normally, DNS queries are sent in plain text — visible to your ISP and anyone on your network. DoH wraps them in encryption, preventing eavesdropping. Major browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Edge) and Android 9+ support DoH natively. Learn more in our Security Guide.

DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) adds cryptographic signatures to DNS records, ensuring the IP address you receive actually belongs to the domain you requested. This prevents attackers from redirecting you to fake websites through DNS spoofing or cache poisoning. Most major public DNS resolvers validate DNSSEC automatically — look for DNSSEC support when choosing a provider.

You can benchmark DNS speed using tools like GRC DNS Benchmark, namebench, or online DNS speed test websites. These tools measure response time (latency) from your location to various DNS servers. For accurate results, run tests at different times of day. Generally, the DNS server with the lowest latency from your location will give you the fastest browsing experience.

You configure two DNS server addresses: a primary (preferred) and a secondary (alternate). Your device tries the primary first. If it's unreachable, it automatically falls back to the secondary. For example, Cloudflare uses 1.1.1.1 as primary and 1.0.0.1 as secondary. Always configure both for reliability.

In most cases, no. Changing DNS is safe and reversible. If a website doesn't load after switching DNS, try flushing your DNS cache or revert to automatic DNS settings. Some corporate networks or school networks may require you to use their specific DNS — check with your network administrator if you're on a managed network.

For gaming, low DNS latency matters more than anything else. Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and Google DNS (8.8.8.8) typically offer the lowest latency due to their massive anycast networks. However, DNS has minimal impact on in-game ping — your physical distance to the game server matters far more. Changing DNS won't reduce lag in online games, but it can speed up game launcher updates and server browser lookups.

Yes. Setting DNS on your router applies it to all connected devices automatically. But individual devices can override router DNS with their own settings. Device-level DNS takes priority over router DNS. For network-wide ad blocking, set filtering DNS (like AdGuard) on your router. For personal privacy on mobile, set DoH in your phone's Private DNS settings.

Frequently Asked Questions