Learn what an AAAA record is, how it connects a domain to an IPv6 address, how it differs from an A record, and when you should add an AAAA record to your DNS settings.

AAAA Record Explained: What Is an IPv6 DNS Record and How Does It Work?

If you are working with DNS records, you have probably seen A records and AAAA records. They look similar because they both connect a hostname to an IP address. The main difference is the type of IP address they use.

An A record points a hostname to an IPv4 address. An AAAA record points a hostname to an IPv6 address.

In this guide, we will explain what an AAAA record is, how it works, how it differs from an A record, and when you should use one for your domain.

What Is an AAAA Record?

An AAAA record is a DNS record that maps a domain name or hostname to an IPv6 address.

For example, a DNS record could look like this:

example.com    AAAA    2001:db8:1234::10

When a device asks DNS for the AAAA record of example.com, the DNS resolver can return the IPv6 address shown above.

The name "AAAA" comes from the relationship between the record and the address type. An A record stores an IPv4 address, while an AAAA record stores an IPv6 address.

How Does an AAAA Record Work?

The basic process is simple.

1. A user enters a domain name in a browser.
2. The device needs to find the IP address for that hostname.
3. DNS is queried for available address records.
4. If an AAAA record is available, it can provide an IPv6 address.
5. The device can then use IPv6 to connect to the destination server when the network supports it.

For example:

www.example.com
        ↓
      AAAA
        ↓
2001:db8:1234::20
        ↓
     Web Server

The AAAA record does not redirect the browser. It provides DNS information that tells the network which IPv6 address is associated with the hostname.

Read More

Want to understand the other major DNS record types first?

• DNS Lookup: How to Check DNS Records for Any Domain
• A Record vs CNAME: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Use?

AAAA Record Example

Here is a simple AAAA record example:

Type:    AAAA
Name:    @
Value:   2001:db8:1234::10
TTL:     3600

In this example, the @ represents the root domain. The value is an IPv6 address.

A subdomain can also have an AAAA record:

Type:    AAAA
Name:    www
Value:   2001:db8:1234::20
TTL:     3600

The exact values depend on the IPv6 address provided by your hosting provider, server, CDN, or network administrator.

AAAA Record vs A Record

The easiest way to understand an AAAA record is to compare it with an A record.

FeatureA RecordAAAA RecordAddress type | IPv4 | IPv6
Example address | 192.0.2.10 | 2001:db8::10
Address format | 32-bit | 128-bit
DNS record | A | AAAA
Purpose | Maps a hostname to IPv4 | Maps a hostname to IPv6

Both records can exist for the same hostname.

For example:

example.com    A       192.0.2.10
example.com    AAAA    2001:db8::10

This allows clients using IPv4 to use the A record while IPv6-capable clients can use the AAAA record.

Why Do Websites Use AAAA Records?

The main reason is IPv6 support.

IPv4 has a limited address space. IPv6 was designed with a much larger address space and is now an important part of modern internet infrastructure.

If your server or hosting provider gives you a public IPv6 address, adding an AAAA record can make your domain reachable over IPv6.

This is especially useful when your infrastructure, hosting provider, CDN, or network is configured for both IPv4 and IPv6.

Can You Have Both A and AAAA Records?

Yes. A hostname can have both an A record and an AAAA record.

For example:

www.example.com    A       192.0.2.50
www.example.com    AAAA    2001:db8::50

This is commonly called a dual-stack setup because the hostname has both IPv4 and IPv6 address information.

The important point is that the two records should point to infrastructure that is correctly configured for the corresponding protocols.

When Should You Add an AAAA Record?

You should consider adding an AAAA record when your hosting provider or server provides a working public IPv6 address for the hostname.

Common situations include:

• Your web server has a public IPv6 address.
• Your hosting provider gives you IPv6 DNS values.
• Your CDN supports IPv6 for your domain.
• You are running infrastructure with both IPv4 and IPv6 connectivity.
• You want your website or service to be accessible through IPv6 networks.

Do not add a random IPv6 address simply because you want an AAAA record. The address must belong to the service that should receive the traffic.

What Happens If the AAAA Record Is Wrong?

A wrong AAAA record can cause connection problems for users who reach your service over IPv6.

For example, suppose your A record points to the correct server but your AAAA record points to an old or incorrect IPv6 address.

example.com
    A       → correct IPv4 server
    AAAA    → wrong IPv6 server

Some users may be able to access the website normally while others may experience slow connections, timeouts, or connection failures depending on how their network reaches the domain.

This is why an AAAA record should only be added when the IPv6 configuration has been tested.

How to Check an AAAA Record

You can check the current DNS records for a hostname with a DNS lookup tool.

Use the AuraTools DNS Lookup tool to check the DNS records published for a domain.

Look specifically for records with the type AAAA.

You can also compare the AAAA result with the A record to see whether the domain has both IPv4 and IPv6 address records.

AAAA Record and IPv6 Connectivity

Having an AAAA record does not automatically mean that your website is fully working over IPv6.

Several parts of the connection need to be configured correctly:

• The DNS AAAA record must contain the correct IPv6 address.
• The server must be configured to accept IPv6 connections.
• The network must route IPv6 traffic correctly.
• Your firewall must allow the required traffic.
• Your web server must listen on the IPv6 address.
• Your TLS certificate and web configuration must work for the hostname.

DNS only tells clients where the service can be reached. It does not configure the server itself.

Common AAAA Record Mistakes

1. Using an IPv4 Address

An AAAA record must contain an IPv6 address. An IPv4 address belongs in an A record.

Wrong:
AAAA → 192.0.2.10

Correct:
AAAA → 2001:db8::10

2. Adding an Incorrect IPv6 Address

Only use the IPv6 address assigned to the correct server or service.

3. Forgetting the Firewall

A correct DNS record cannot fix a firewall that blocks IPv6 traffic.

4. Assuming DNS Changes Are Instant

DNS records are cached according to their TTL. A change may therefore take time to appear everywhere.

5. Adding AAAA Without Testing IPv6

If the IPv6 service is not ready, publishing an incorrect AAAA record can create connectivity problems for IPv6 users.

How to Troubleshoot an AAAA Record

If you added an AAAA record but the website does not work correctly over IPv6, start with DNS.

1. Check that the AAAA record exists.
2. Verify that the IPv6 address is correct.
3. Check the TTL and DNS propagation.
4. Confirm that the server has the same IPv6 address configured.
5. Check firewall rules for IPv6 traffic.
6. Confirm that the web server is listening on IPv6.
7. Test the website from an IPv6-capable network.

You can start by using the AuraTools DNS Lookup tool to verify what AAAA record is currently published.

AAAA Record vs CNAME

An AAAA record and a CNAME record serve different purposes.

An AAAA record maps a hostname directly to an IPv6 address:

www.example.com → 2001:db8::10

A CNAME maps one hostname to another hostname:

www.example.com → app.example.net

The target hostname can then have A or AAAA records that provide the actual IP address.

So the choice is not simply "AAAA or CNAME." You choose based on whether you need to publish an IPv6 address directly or create a hostname alias.

Do You Need an AAAA Record for Every Domain?

No.

You only need an AAAA record when the hostname should be reachable through IPv6 and you have a valid IPv6 address for the service.

If your hosting environment does not provide IPv6 connectivity, you should not invent or guess an AAAA record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AAAA record?

An AAAA record is a DNS record that maps a hostname to an IPv6 address.

What is the difference between A and AAAA records?

An A record maps a hostname to an IPv4 address. An AAAA record maps a hostname to an IPv6 address.

Can a domain have both A and AAAA records?

Yes. A hostname can have both records so it can provide IPv4 and IPv6 address information.

Is AAAA the same as IPv6?

Not exactly. IPv6 is the internet protocol and address system. An AAAA record is the DNS record type used to publish an IPv6 address for a hostname.

Can I use an IPv4 address in an AAAA record?

No. IPv4 addresses belong in A records. AAAA records contain IPv6 addresses.

How can I check my AAAA record?

You can use a DNS lookup tool to query the hostname and look for records with the AAAA type.

Final Takeaway

An AAAA record is the DNS record used to connect a hostname with an IPv6 address. It is the IPv6 counterpart to the A record used for IPv4.

If your server or hosting provider supports IPv6, an AAAA record can make your website or service reachable over IPv6. You can also publish A and AAAA records together when your infrastructure supports both protocols.

Before adding an AAAA record, always verify the IPv6 address and make sure the server, firewall, and network are ready to accept IPv6 traffic.

Check DNS records with AuraTools DNS Lookup and verify the AAAA record currently published for your hostname.