host
Simple DNS lookup utility for converting names to addresses and vice versa.
Synopsis
host [OPTION]... NAME [SERVER]
Examples
host example.com
host -t MX example.com
host 8.8.8.8
host -a example.com
Common options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| -t | Query type |
| -a | Equivalent to -t ANY |
| -v | Verbose output |
| -4 | Use IPv4 only |
About host
The `host` command simple DNS lookup utility for converting names to addresses and vice versa. Networking commands handle connectivity testing, DNS resolution, data transfer, remote access, firewall rules, and traffic analysis.
Linux is the dominant server operating system, and strong networking skills are essential for web hosting, container orchestration, security auditing, and infrastructure management. The command accepts 4 commonly used flags shown above, though the full set of options is available in the man page (`man host`).
The 4 examples on this page cover typical real-world usage patterns that you can copy and adapt for your own workflows.
Related commands
More Network Commands
Other commands in the Network category