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What is 4.2.2.1?

4.2.2.1 is the primary DNS resolver address for Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x), run by Lumen (formerly Level 3). Here's what it does, whether it's safe, and a way to time it from your own connection.

Updated 4 min read

What is 4.2.2.1?

4.2.2.1 is the primary DNS resolver address for Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x), operated by Lumen (formerly Level 3). Long-standing anycast resolvers in Level 3 (now Lumen) address space, widely used as 4.2.2.1–4.2.2.6 but never an official product.

Operator
Lumen (formerly Level 3)
This address
4.2.2.1 (primary)
Paired address
4.2.2.2
  • No-log : no
  • DNSSEC : no
  • Malware blocking : no
  • Ad blocking : no
  • Family filter : no

Primary and secondary — why there are two

4.2.2.1 is Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x)'s primary address — the one your device queries first. Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x) also publishes a secondary, 4.2.2.2, as an automatic fallback. Configuring both is recommended: DNS is critical infrastructure, and a second address means a momentary problem with one server doesn't take your connection offline. Both resolve the same names with the same features, so there's no downside to listing both.

Can you time 4.2.2.1 from a browser?

Not directly. Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x) publishes no browser-reachable encrypted-DNS (DoH) endpoint for 4.2.2.1, and a browser can't send a plain DNS query to a raw IP — so there's no honest way to time this address from a web page. To measure it, set 4.2.2.1 as your DNS and run the full DNS speed test, or use dig @4.2.2.1 example.com from a terminal.

Should you use it?

Long-standing anycast resolvers in Level 3 (now Lumen) address space, widely used as 4.2.2.1–4.2.2.6 but never an official product.

Best for: Speed.

Like any public resolver, Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x) adds a small round trip compared with your ISP's default DNS, and it can't optimize CDN routing as tightly as a resolver peered locally with your network in every case. Use the live timing check above, or the full DNS speed test, to see whether it's actually faster than what you have now.

To use Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x), set 4.2.2.1 as your primary DNS and 4.2.2.2 as the secondary — see the device and router setup guides .

4.2.2.1 — frequently asked questions

Is 4.2.2.1 safe to use?

Yes. 4.2.2.1 is a legitimate public DNS address operated by Lumen (formerly Level 3) (Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x)). No published privacy or logging policy exists for these resolvers.

Is 4.2.2.1 free?

Yes — Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x) is a free public resolver. Point your device or router's DNS at 4.2.2.1 (primary) and 4.2.2.2 (secondary).

Does 4.2.2.1 log my activity?

No published privacy or logging policy exists for these resolvers.

Is 4.2.2.1 faster than my ISP's DNS?

It can be, but it depends on your location and network — and 4.2.2.1 has no browser-reachable encrypted-DNS (DoH) endpoint, so it can't be timed from this page. Set it as your DNS and run the full DNS speed test, or compare it with dig or nslookup from your device.

Do I also need the secondary 4.2.2.2?

It's recommended. 4.2.2.1 is Level 3 / Lumen (4.2.2.x)'s primary address and 4.2.2.2 is the secondary. Configuring both means that if the primary is briefly unreachable your device falls back to the secondary automatically instead of losing DNS. They resolve identically — the second address is purely a backup.