How Long DNS Propagation Takes?
On average, DNS propagation takes anywhere from a few minutes up to 48 hours, but most changes are visible globally within 4–24 hours. In practice, planning for a 24-hour window is a good approach.
You can watch the rollout in real time using tools like HowToDNS to see which servers have updated.
Factors Of DNS Propagation Speed
- Time to Live (TTL) Settings: Lower TTLs force more frequent cache refreshes.
- ISP Cache Policies: Some providers ignore low TTLs and refresh on their own schedule.
- DNS Provider Performance: Faster, more reliable DNS hosts propagate changes quicker.
- Geographic Distance: Regions farther from your authoritative servers may update more slowly.
- Local Caching: Device or router caches can hold old records until manually cleared.
Typical DNS Propagation Times
| Timeframe | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate to Few Minutes | 0–30 minutes | Local resolver caches often refresh quickly, especially after a low TTL change. |
| Early Updates | 30 minutes–1 hour | Many public DNS services (e.g., Google, Cloudflare) pick up updates fast. |
| Most Common | 1–4 hours | Majority of global resolvers will have your new records by now. |
| Extended Updates | 4–24 hours | Some ISPs and geographic regions may take longer due to cache policies. |
| Full Propagation | Up to 48 hours | Worst-case scenario if TTL was high or some providers ignore low TTLs. |