{"article":{"id":"c44c7f2c93bb76acc359f394cc0c8109","categorySlug":"dedicated-servers","slug":"reverse-dns","title":"Set reverse DNS (PTR) records","excerpt":"Give each of your server's IP addresses a hostname with a PTR record so mail providers and other services can verify who is behind the IP.","body":"Reverse DNS (rDNS) is the opposite of a normal DNS lookup. A normal lookup turns a hostname into an IP address; a reverse lookup turns an IP address back into a hostname. The answer to a reverse lookup is stored in a PTR record (a \"pointer\" record). This guide shows you how to set a PTR record for any IP address on your dedicated server or VPS, directly from the control panel.\n\n# Why reverse DNS matters\n\nFor most websites, reverse DNS is optional. For a mail server it is close to mandatory:\n\n- Receiving mail servers look up the PTR record of the IP that connects to them. An IP with no PTR record, or with a generic one, is far more likely to be rejected or land in spam.\n- The best practice is forward-confirmed reverse DNS: the PTR record points to a hostname (for example `mail.example.com`), and that hostname resolves back to the same IP address. Mismatched forward and reverse records look suspicious to spam filters.\n- Reverse DNS also makes your server easier to recognise in logs, traceroutes and monitoring tools.\n\n# Before you start\n\n1. Decide on a hostname for the IP, such as `mail.example.com` or `web-01.example.com`.\n2. Create a matching forward DNS record: an A record for that hostname pointing at the same IP address. You do this wherever the domain's DNS is hosted. If the domain is protected by our Layer 7 service, add the record in its DNS tab — see [Manage DNS records](/kb/layer7-dns-records). A record that must resolve directly to your server should be set to DNS-only, not proxied.\n\n# Set the PTR record on a dedicated server\n\n1. In the portal sidebar, click **Bare Metal**.\n2. Click **Manage** on the server you want to configure. New to the server page? Start with [Your dedicated server: first steps](/kb/dedicated-getting-online).\n3. Open the **Settings** tab.\n4. Find the **Reverse DNS (PTR)** card. It lists every IP address the server owns, each with an editable hostname field.\n5. Type the hostname into the field next to the IP and click **Save** (or press Enter). A \"Reverse DNS updated\" confirmation appears.\n\n![The Reverse DNS (PTR) panel on the Settings tab, with a hostname filled in next to the server's IP](/assets/kb/dedicated/rdns.png)\n\nTo remove a PTR record, clear the field and click **Save**. A \"Reverse DNS cleared\" confirmation appears.\n\n# Set the PTR record on a VPS\n\nThe same panel exists on VPS and cloud servers. Open your server from the server list, then open the **Management** tab. The Reverse DNS panel works exactly the same way: one editable hostname per IP address, saved per record.\n\n# Propagation and verification\n\nChanges propagate within a few minutes. You can verify the record from any computer with a terminal:\n\n```\ndig -x 192.0.2.10 +short\n```\n\nReplace `192.0.2.10` with your server's IP. The output should show the hostname you saved. Then confirm the forward direction matches:\n\n```\ndig mail.example.com +short\n```\n\nThe answer should be the same IP address.\n\n\u003e A PTR record should point to a hostname that resolves back to the same IP. If the two directions disagree, fix the forward A record first, then re-check.\n\nIf an IP address you expect to see is missing from the panel, or a valid hostname will not save, open a ticket from **Tickets** in the portal and our team will take a look.","status":"published","position":4,"createdAt":"2026-07-15T11:11:28Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-15T11:11:28Z"},"related":[{"id":"7e6d5798deba4517e19386447cfdf980","categorySlug":"dedicated-servers","slug":"dedicated-getting-online","title":"Your dedicated server: first steps","excerpt":"Find your new dedicated server in the portal, check its status and specs, reveal the root password, use the power controls and learn where every tool lives.","position":1,"status":"published"},{"id":"a1b98fee58584ece0feec1a414520700","categorySlug":"dedicated-servers","slug":"reinstall-the-os","title":"Reinstall the OS (RAID and disk layout)","excerpt":"Wipe your dedicated server and load a fresh operating system with a guided wizard — pick an OS, design the disk and RAID layout, and follow the install progress live.","position":2,"status":"published"},{"id":"b14cf28e35e20df1ed133cad566815f8","categorySlug":"dedicated-servers","slug":"dedicated-console-access","title":"Use the remote console (out-of-band access)","excerpt":"Open a browser-based screen for your dedicated server that keeps working even when the operating system is down or the server is unreachable over the network.","position":3,"status":"published"},{"id":"1503594b079ff4a8a7d17edc1e76d7f8","categorySlug":"dedicated-servers","slug":"dedicated-bandwidth","title":"Traffic statistics and port speed","excerpt":"See your dedicated server's live traffic rates and 24-hour usage chart, and upgrade or downgrade your guaranteed network speed from the portal.","position":5,"status":"published"}]}