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# What is DNS Propagation?

# Basic information about DNS propagation

A [Domain Name System (DNS)](https://help.ex2.com/en/article/what-is-the-domain-name-system-or-dns-oen40o/?bust=1784819338957) is a database system that translates domain names into IP addresses. This allows computers to find websites using a name that is easy to remember instead of a series of complex numbers. DNS acts as telephone directories for the Internet.

DNS propagation is the process by which updates to DNS records (IP addresses associated with a domain name) are propagated across the Internet. It can take up to 48 hours for new information to be available on all DNS servers worldwide.

Concretely, when you create a new domain name (or when you move it), you have to tell computers all over the world the new address of that domain name, which can take a little time (but in practice usually takes no more than a few hours).

The propagation is fully automatic. If you want to monitor the process, you can use a DNS checker, such as DNS checker https://dnschecker.org/
Enter your domain name and choose the NS option (for DNS). 

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/52421894134f0400/image_1m67kbz.png)

Once the spread is complete, remember to clear your DNS cache if your site still doesn’t respond in order to update these changes on your computer or smartphone.