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DNS (Domain Name System) is a fundamental part of how the internet functions, enabling the translation of human readable domain names into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. One of the critical aspects of DNS query TTL (Time to Live), a parameter that determines how long a DNS record is cached by a DNS resolver before it needs to be refreshed.
This article is going to delve into what happens when a DNS query TTL of 24 hours, how it affects your website’s performance, and why it matters. We’ll also guide you through how to check the TTL value using the dig command. This brief guide will help you understand the implications of a 24-hour TTL on your domain and ensure your website, HostingSpell, operates efficiently.
What is TTL in DNS?
TTL, or Time to Live, is a crucial setting in DNS records that dictates how long DNS resolvers should cache a particular DNS record. When you visit a website, the DNS resolver checks it cache for the corresponding IP address of the domain name. If the record is present and hasn’t expired, it connects you to the website without querying the DNS server again. The TTL is specified in seconds, defining how long this cached information remains valid.
For example, if a TTL is set to 86400 seconds, the record will be cached for 24 hours before the resolver checks for an updated record. During this period, the DNS resolver won’t contact the authoritative DNS server again unless the system clears the cache.

How Does a 24-Hour TTL Affect DNS Queries?
When a DNS query TTL for 24 hours, DNS resolvers will cache the information retrieved from the DNS server for 24 hours (86,400 seconds). Here’s how it impacts various aspects of your website:
1. Faster Access to Your Website
A DNS query TTL of 24 hours means that once a DNS query is resolved, the information is cached for an entire day. Returning visitors or users who access your website frequently will have faster access because the DNS lookup will be skipped for subsequent visits within those 24 hours. The resolver uses the cached IP address instead of querying the DNS server again.
2. Reduced Load on DNS Servers
With a DNS query TTL for 24 hours, DNS resolvers cache the DNS records for longer, reducing the frequency of DNS queries to the authoritative DNS servers. This decrease in query traffic helps lessen the load on DNS servers, ensuring more efficient operation and lowering the risk of server overload.
3. Impact on DNS Propagation
A DNS query TTL for 24 hours can slow down the propagation process if you need to change your DNS records. For instance, if you update your domain’s IP address, DNS resolvers will continue using the old IP address until the 24-hour TTL expires. This delay can lead to downtime or accessibility issues for your users during propagation.
4. Trade-Off Between Speed and Flexibility
Setting a TTL of 24 hours balances speed and flexibility. While it ensures quicker access and reduced server load, it also means less flexibility in quickly updating DNS records. A shorter TTL might be more appropriate if your website experiences frequent IP address changes. However, a 24-hour TTL offers speed for stable websites where the IP address of the website rarely changes, ensuring efficient and consistent user access.
Viewing TTL with dig
The dig command is widely used for querying DNS records and examining DNS configurations. To check the TTL value of a DNS record using dig, follow these steps:
How to Perform a Dig Query
- Open Command Line Interface:
- On Windows, open Command Prompt.
- On macOS or Linux, open Terminal.
- Run the dig Command:
- Enter the following command, replacing example.com with the domain name you wish to query:
- dig example.com
- Examine the Output:
- In the dig command output, look for the section labeled “ANSWER SECTION.” This section provides details about the DNS record, including the TTL value.

Why a 24-Hour TTL Might Be Ideal for Your Website
Choosing the right TTL for your DNS records is essential for optimizing your website’s performance and reliability. Here’s why a 24-hour TTL might be suitable for your site, mainly if you host with Hosting Spell:
1. Stability and Reliability
A DNS query TTL for 24 hours provides a consistent and reliable user experience for websites with stable infrastructure and infrequent changes to IP addresses. Users benefit from faster loading times, and your server experiences less DNS query traffic.
2. Lower DNS Management Overhead
With a 24-hour TTL, you won’t need to manage your DNS records as frequently, reducing the administrative overhead. This is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized websites with limited DNS management resources.
3. Enhanced User Experience
A longer TTL means that repeat visitors and those who access your site regularly will experience faster load times, as the DNS lookup is skipped, thanks to the cached record.
4. Cost Efficiency
A lower volume of DNS queries due to a longer TTL can result in cost savings if you’re using a paid DNS service. Fewer queries mean lower costs, making a DNS query TTL for 24 hours an economical choice, especially when using a private DNS on a cell phone for enhanced privacy and efficiency.
Scenarios Where a 24-Hour TTL Might Not Be Ideal
While a 24-hour TTL has its advantages, there are situations where a shorter TTL might be more appropriate:
1. Frequent DNS Changes
If your website frequently changes IP addresses or you’re moving to a new server, a shorter TTL can ensure that the changes propagate faster across the internet. This minimizes downtime and ensures that users are directed to the correct server more quickly.
2. Dynamic Hosting Environments
In environments where the IP address changes regularly (e.g., cloud-based infrastructure or load-balanced servers), a shorter TTL is recommended to ensure that DNS records are updated promptly.
3. Launching New Services
If you’re launching a new service or making significant changes to your website, a shorter TTL allows for quicker updates.
Managing TTL Settings for Your Domain
As a website owner using Hosting Spell, you have the flexibility to manage the TTL settings for your domain through your DNS management panel. Here’s how you can adjust the TTL:
- Log in to Your Hosting Spell Account: Access your DNS management panel through your Hosting Spell dashboard.
- Navigate to DNS Settings: Locate the DNS settings for the domain you want to manage.
- Edit the TTL Value: Adjust the TTL value according to your needs. If you prefer a 24-hour TTL, set the value to 86400 seconds.
- Save Changes: Ensure you save your changes to apply the new TTL setting.
Conclusion
The TTL value in DNS queries is vital in how DNS resolvers cache and retrieve your website’s domain information. A DNS query TTL for 24 hours (86400 seconds) offers a good balance between speed and stability, ensuring that your website is accessible to users quickly while reducing the load on DNS servers. At Hosting Spell, we’re committed to helping you optimize your DNS settings so your website runs smoothly and efficiently.
FAQs:
Q1: What does TTL stand for in DNS records?
TTL stands for Time To Live. It is a value in a DNS record that indicates how long DNS resolvers should cache the record before discarding it and making a new query.
Q2: How is a TTL of 24 hours represented in seconds?
A TTL of 24 hours is represented as 86,400 seconds. This is calculated by multiplying 24 hours by 60 minutes per hour and 60 seconds per minute (24 × 60 × 60 = 86,400).
Q3: How can I check the TTL value of a DNS record using dig?
To check the TTL value using dig, open Command Prompt or Terminal and run:
dig example.com
Look for the TTL value in the “ANSWER SECTION” of the output, which will show the TTL in seconds.
Q4: What does the TTL value indicate in the dig command output?
In the dig command output, the TTL value indicates how long the DNS record is valid and can be cached by resolvers. For example, if the TTL value is 86,400 seconds, the record can be cached for 24 hours before it needs to be refreshed.
Q5: Why is it essential to understand TTL values in DNS?
Understanding TTL values helps manage DNS caching and ensures that DNS records are updated as needed. Proper TTL settings can improve website performance and reliability by controlling how frequently DNS resolvers refresh their cache.
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