General Questions
A DNS speed test measures how quickly a DNS resolver translates domain names like google.com into IP addresses. Our tool sends real DNS-over-HTTPS queries to multiple servers simultaneously and measures the response time from your browser. The results show which resolver is fastest for your specific location and network.
Yes, our DNS speed test is completely free. There are no limitations, no registration required, and no premium tiers. The tool runs entirely in your browser.
Our tests measure real DNS-over-HTTPS response times from your browser using the high-resolution performance.now() API. Results reflect actual network latency including HTTPS overhead. For best accuracy, run the test multiple times at different times of day and look at the median rather than individual results.
Yes. All test data stays in your browser and is never sent to our servers. We do not collect personal information, cookies, or browsing data. Your test results are stored only in your browser's local storage.
DNS Servers
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is generally the fastest public DNS server, with average response times around 11 milliseconds. However, the fastest server depends on your location and network. Run our DNS speed test to see which resolver performs best from your connection.
For most people, Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is the best choice due to its speed and privacy. For security, use Quad9 9.9.9.9 which blocks malicious domains by default. For families, OpenDNS or Cloudflare 1.1.1.3 provides content filtering. The right choice depends on your priorities.
You can change DNS settings on your device (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS) or at the router level to affect all devices on your network. See our complete guide to changing DNS settings for step-by-step instructions for every platform.
Changing DNS can improve page load times by 20-100 milliseconds per connection. While it does not increase your bandwidth, faster DNS resolution means websites begin loading sooner. The improvement is most noticeable when visiting sites that pull resources from many different domains.
Technical Questions
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a protocol that encrypts DNS queries using standard HTTPS encryption. This prevents your ISP, network administrators, or anyone else on your network from seeing which websites you visit. Our tool uses DoH exclusively to provide accurate, privacy-respecting speed measurements.
DNS does not affect in-game ping during active gameplay. However, it does affect how quickly your game launches, how fast matchmaking responds, and how rapidly patches download. For gaming, choose a resolver with low p95 latency rather than just low average latency. See our best DNS for gaming guide.
An internet speed test measures your download and upload bandwidth — how much data you can transfer per second. A DNS speed test measures DNS resolution latency — how quickly domain names are translated into IP addresses. Both affect your browsing experience but measure entirely different things.
Yes, our DNS speed test works on any device with a modern web browser. For the most accurate results on mobile, connect to WiFi rather than cellular data. Mobile networks add their own latency layer that can mask differences between DNS resolvers.
ISP DNS servers are often overloaded, under-invested, and geographically distant. ISPs typically prioritize bandwidth over DNS performance. Their resolvers also log browsing data and sometimes hijack failed lookups to show ad-filled search pages. Switching to a public resolver like Cloudflare or Google is free and usually much faster.
Run a DNS speed test when browsing feels slow, after changing network equipment, when switching internet providers, or periodically every few months. Network conditions evolve and the fastest resolver today might not be the fastest six months from now.
DNS speed affects how quickly your device locates the optimal CDN server for streaming. A fast resolver routes you to the nearest, least congested server, resulting in faster stream startup and less buffering. See our best DNS for streaming guide.