The Greatest Free and Public DNS Servers (October 2022)

Table of Contents

The very best free public DNS servers embody Google, Management D, Quad9, OpenDNS, Cloudflare, CleanBrowsing, Alternate DNS, and AdGuard DNS.

Here is a fast reference if what you are doing, however we get into these companies much more later on this article:

Greatest Free & Public DNS Servers

Supplier Major DNS Secondary DNS
Google 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4
Management D 76.76.2.0 76.76.10.0
Quad9 9.9.9.9 149.112.112.112
OpenDNS Dwelling 208.67.222.222 208.67.220.220
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1
CleanBrowsing 185.228.168.9 185.228.169.9
Alternate DNS 76.76.19.19 76.223.122.150
AdGuard DNS 94.140.14.14 94.140.15.15

A listing of extra free DNS servers could be discovered within the desk close to the underside of the web page.

What Are DNS Servers?

DNS servers translate the pleasant area title you enter right into a browser (like lifewire.com) into the general public IP handle that is wanted in your system to really talk with that website.

Your ISP mechanically assigns DNS servers when your smartphone or router connects to the web, however you do not have to make use of these. For lots of causes, you would possibly wish to attempt various ones (we get into a lot of them in Why Use Completely different DNS Servers? a bit additional down the web page) however privateness and velocity are two massive wins you may see from switching.

Major DNS servers are typically known as most popular DNS servers and secondary DNS servers typically alternate DNS servers. Major and secondary DNS servers could be “blended and matched” from completely different suppliers to guard you if the first supplier has issues.

Greatest Free & Public DNS Servers (Legitimate October 2022)

Under are extra particulars on the very best free DNS servers you should use as an alternative of those assigned.

In the event you’re unsure, use the IPv4 DNS servers listed for a supplier. These are the IP addresses that embody intervals. IPv6 IP addresses use colons.

Google: 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4

Google Public DNS web site

Google Public DNS guarantees three core advantages: a quicker searching expertise, improved safety, and correct outcomes with out redirects.

Major DNS: 8.8.8.8
Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4
There are additionally IPv6 variations:
Major DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8888
Secondary DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8844

Google can obtain quick speeds with its public DNS servers as a result of they’re hosted in knowledge facilities all world wide, which means that once you try and entry an internet web page utilizing the IP addresses above, you are directed to a server that is nearest to you. Along with conventional DNS over UDP/TCP, Google offers DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and TLS (DoT).

Management D: 76.76.2.0 & 76.76.10.0
Management D free dns choices

Management D is exclusive in that it has a number of DNS servers to select from, every categorized by theme. The “Uncensored” resolver proxies the generally blocked web sites in most international locations to bypass IP blocking of varied information web sites. Others can be utilized to cease malicious web sites, block adverts and trackers, or block social networks or grownup content material. The essential possibility, “Unfiltered,” offers DNS question privateness and safety:

Major DNS: 76.76.2.0
Secondary DNS: 76.76.10.0
IPv6 is supported, too:
Major DNS: 2606:1a40::
Secondary DNS: 2606:1a40:1::

There are additionally customized configurations you may arrange if the usual configurations aren’t appropriate for you. For instance, be a part of trackers and adverts, malware, phishing, and authorities websites to make a customized filter. Premium filters can be found for a low price. Management D additionally helps DoH and DoT.

Quad9: 9.9.9.9 & 149.112.112.112

Quad9 web site

Quad9 has free public DNS servers that shield your pc and different gadgets from cyber threats by instantly and mechanically blocking entry to unsafe web sites, with out storing your private knowledge.

Major DNS: 9.9.9.9
Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112
There are additionally Quad 9 IPv6 DNS servers:
Major DNS: 2620:fe::fe
Secondary DNS: 2620:fe::9

Quad9 doesn’t filter content material—solely domains which are phishing or comprise malware can be blocked. There’s additionally has an unsecured IPv4 public DNS (i.e., no malware blocking) at 9.9.9.10 (2620:fe::10 for IPv6). Quad9 helps DoH.

OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 & 208.67.220.220

OpenDNS public DNS server web site

OpenDNS claims 100% reliability and up-time, and is utilized by tens of tens of millions of customers world wide. They provide two units of free public DNS servers, one in all which is only for parental controls with dozens of filtering choices.

Major DNS: 208.67.222.222
Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220
IPv6 addresses are additionally accessible:
Major DNS: 2620:119:35::35
Secondary DNS: 2620:119:53::53

The servers above are for OpenDNS Dwelling, which you can also make a consumer account to arrange customized settings. The corporate additionally gives DNS servers which you could set as much as block grownup content material, known as OpenDNS FamilyShield: 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123. These two additionally help DNS over HTTPS. A premium DNS providing is out there, too, known as OpenDNS VIP.

Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 & 1.0.0.1

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 public DNS server web site

Cloudflare constructed 1.1.1.1 to be the “web’s quickest DNS listing,” and can by no means log your IP handle, by no means promote your knowledge, and by no means use your knowledge to focus on adverts.

Major DNS: 1.1.1.1
Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1
In addition they have IPv6 public DNS servers:
Major DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1111
Secondary DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1001

There are setup instructions for all of your gadgets by way of the hyperlink above. One other means to make use of it’s by way of the 1.1.1.1 app, which offers fast DNS setup on cell and desktop gadgets. It additionally doubles as a VPN. There’s additionally 1.1.1.1 for Households that may block malware (1.1.1.2) or malware and grownup content material (1.1.1.3). It additionally helps DNS over HTTPS and TLS.

CleanBrowsing: 185.228.168.9 & 185.228.169.9

CleanBrowsing public DNS server web site

CleanBrowsing has three free public DNS server choices: a safety filter, grownup filter, and household filter. These are the DNS servers for the safety filter, probably the most primary of the three that updates hourly to dam malware and phishing websites:

Major DNS: 185.228.168.9
Secondary DNS: 185.228.169.9
IPv6 can be supported:
Major DNS: 2a0d:2a00:1::2
Secondary DNS: 2a0d:2a00:2::2

The CleanBrowsing grownup filter (185.228.168.10) prevents entry to grownup domains, and the household filter (185.228.168.168) blocks proxies, VPNs, and blended grownup content material. For extra options, subscribe to a CleanBrowsing’s premium plans. This service helps DoH and DoT as properly.

Alternate DNS: 76.76.19.19 & 76.223.122.150
Alternate DNS web site
Alternate DNS is a free public DNS service that blocks adverts earlier than they attain your community.
Major DNS: 76.76.19.19
Secondary DNS: 76.223.122.150
Alternate DNS has IPv6 DNS servers, too:
Major DNS: 2602:fcbc::advert
Secondary DNS: 2602:fcbc:2::advert

You’ll be able to enroll with Alternate DNS at no cost. There’s additionally a Household Premium Alternate DNS possibility that blocks grownup content material.

AdGuard DNS: 94.140.14.14 & 94.140.15.15

AdGuard DNS web site

AdGuard DNS has two units of DNS servers that block adverts in video games, movies, apps, and internet pages. The essential set known as the “Default” servers, which block adverts and trackers:

Major DNS: 94.140.14.14
Secondary DNS: 94.140.15.15
IPv6 is supported, too:
Major DNS: 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff
Secondary DNS: 2a10:50c0::ad2:ff

There are additionally “Household safety” servers (94.140.14.15 and 2a10:50c0::bad1:ff) that block grownup content material, plus every thing included within the “Default” servers. Non-filtering servers can be found when you’re not focused on blocking something: 94.140.14.140 and 2a10:50c0::1:ff. These servers are additionally accessible as DNS over HTTPS, TLS, and QUIC, in addition to DNSCrypt.

Why Use Completely different DNS Servers?

One motive you would possibly wish to change the DNS servers assigned by your ISP is when you suspect there’s an issue with those you are utilizing now. A straightforward approach to check for a DNS server subject is by typing a web site’s IP handle into the browser. In the event you can attain the web site with the IP handle, however not the title, then the DNS server is probably going having points.

Another excuse to alter DNS servers is when you’re on the lookout for higher performing service. Many individuals complain that their ISP-maintained DNS servers are sluggish and contribute to a slower total searching expertise.

Different widespread causes to make use of DNS servers from a 3rd celebration is to stop logging of your internet exercise to be able to have a extra personal searching expertise, and to avoid the blocking of sure web sites. Know, nevertheless, that not all DNS servers keep away from site visitors logging. If that is what you are focused on, be sure you learn by way of the FAQs on the DNS supplier’s website to ensure it will do (or not do) what you are after.

If, however, you wish to use the DNS servers that your particular ISP, like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast/XFINITY, and many others., has decided is finest, then do not manually set DNS server addresses in any respect—simply allow them to auto assign.

Lastly, in case there was any confusion, free DNS servers don’t provide you with free web entry. You continue to want an ISP to connect with for entry—DNS servers simply translate between IP addresses and domains to be able to entry web sites with a human-readable title as an alternative of a difficult-to-remember IP handle.

Further DNS Servers

Listed below are a number of extra public DNS servers from main suppliers.
Extra Free DNS Servers
Supplier Major DNS Secondary DNS
DNS.WATCH 84.200.69.80 84.200.70.40
Comodo Safe DNS 8.26.56.26 8.20.247.20
CenturyLink (Level3) 205.171.3.65 205.171.2.65
CIRA Canadian Protect 149.112.121.10 149.112.122.10
SafeDNS 195.46.39.39 195.46.39.40
OpenNIC 159.89.120.99 134.195.4.2
Dyn 216.146.35.35 216.146.36.36
Yandex DNS 77.88.8.8 77.88.8.1
Hurricane Electrical 74.82.42.42
Neustar 64.6.64.6 64.6.65.6
Freenom World 80.80.80.80 80.80.81.81
DNS for Household 94.130.180.225 78.47.64.161

A few of these suppliers have a number of DNS servers. Go to the hyperlink above and choose a server that is geographically close by for the optimum efficiency.

DNS servers are known as all types of names, like DNS server addresses, web DNS servers, web servers, DNS IP addresses, and many others.

Verizon DNS Servers & Different ISP Particular DNS Servers

Verizon DNS servers are sometimes listed elsewhere as 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, 4.2.2.3, 4.2.2.4, and/or 4.2.2.5, however these are literally alternate options to the CenturyLink/Stage 3 DNS server addresses proven within the desk above.

Verizon, like most ISPs, prefers to steadiness their DNS server site visitors by way of native, computerized assignments. For instance, the first Verizon DNS server in Atlanta, GA, is 68.238.120.12 and in Chicago, is 68.238.0.12.

Incessantly Requested Questions

How do I modify my DNS server? You’ll be able to specify a DNS server within the settings in your router. Particular directions will differ relying on the mannequin, however usually, you may log in to the {hardware} by getting into http://192.168.1.1 after which getting into one of many addresses above into the DNS settings.

How do I repair a DNS server that is not responding? Your pc might fail to connect with a DNS for a number of causes. To repair a defective DNS connection, examine your ISP’s connection standing and your antivirus software program, and run any community troubleshooting software program your pc has. If none of this works, restart or reset your modem and router.