Determine the Fastest DNS Server for Optimal Performance

The speed of a DNS Domain Name System (DNS) server can vary based on your location, network conditions, and the specific DNS service being used. However, some of the fastest and most popular public DNS servers include:

Popular Fast DNS Servers

Cloudflare DNS
IP Addresses: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
Known for its speed and privacy features. Google Public DNS
IP Addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Offers high availability and reliability. OpenDNS
IP Addresses: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
Provides additional features like phishing protection. Quad9
IP Address: 9.9.9.9
Focuses on security by blocking malicious domains.

To find the fastest DNS server for your specific location, you can use tools like DNS Benchmark or Namebench. These tools will test various DNS servers and report back on their performance.

Importance of Determining the Fastest DNS Server

Conducting speed tests is essential to determine the fastest DNS server for your specific needs. There are numerous online tools and software available that can help you measure the response times of different DNS servers. If you are building your own custom nameserver list, tools like DNSBench can be totally free, safe, and highly effective.

The Fastest DNS Servers as of Now

As of the most recent updates, the fastest DNS resolvers are Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 and secondary 1.0.0.1.

You can check DNS performance using online tools like DNS Benchmark. Add your Internet service provider’s DNS servers and let the tool rank them based on latency and other factors.

Understanding DNS Hierarchy and Performance

DNS is a hierarchical system, but the speed of your response will depend on multiple factors. YouTube has a video that explains this in more detail and with a visual representation. Additionally, a universal cooperative DNS, such as Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1, is widely used and highly effective.

It is possible to use multiple DNS servers to accelerate your DNS experience. When you send a request, it will first look at the nearest server. If what you want isn’t there, it will send a search request to the next up the chain, and so on. Each additional layer of DNS could increase the likelihood of having the desired information. However, if a server is over-busy, it can slow down the process. Therefore, the phenomenon tends to countermand the other to some degree.

The rest is likely to be a mixture of random trial and error, but using tools like DNSBench and custom nameserver lists can help significantly.