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# What is an A Record?

## A records for DNS

A “record” is a type of [DNS](https://help.ex2.com/en/article/what-is-the-domain-name-system-or-dns-oen40o/?bust=1784819338957) entry that simply indicates which IP address corresponds to a domain name. For A records, the *A* simply means _address. 

This type of DNS record indicates the [IP address](https://help.ex2.com/en/article/what-is-an-ip-address-1p94058/?bust=1784819520474) (in IPv4 format) associated with a domain name. When a user tries to connect to a website, his browser searches for the corresponding A record via the DNS. 

To do this, the browser first sends a query. If a record exists, the server hosting the site will send information about the IP address to connect to.

DNS A records are also at the heart of DNS-based blacklists (DNSBL). These lists compile IP addresses associated with malicious operations (such as spam). Email providers rely on these lists to automatically report these IP addresses as spam.