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What is 8.8.4.4?

8.8.4.4 is Google Public DNS's secondary (backup) DNS address, the fallback for the primary 8.8.8.8, run by Google. Here's what it does and how it relates to the primary.

Updated 4 min read

What is 8.8.4.4?

8.8.4.4 is the secondary DNS resolver address for Google Public DNS, operated by Google — the backup your device falls back to when the primary (8.8.8.8) isn't answering. It resolves the same names, from the same service, as the primary. A globally distributed, extremely reliable resolver. Uses EDNS Client Subnet, which helps CDN routing at a small privacy cost.

Operator
Google
This address
8.8.4.4 (secondary)
Paired address
8.8.8.8
Encrypted hostname (DoH/DoT)
dns.google
  • No-log : no
  • DNSSEC : yes
  • Malware blocking : no
  • Ad blocking : no
  • Family filter : no

How 8.8.4.4 works as a secondary address

8.8.4.4 is a backup resolver. Your operating system sends each DNS query to your primary DNS server first — for Google Public DNS that's 8.8.8.8 and only turns to 8.8.4.4 if the primary doesn't answer in time. It isn't queried in parallel, and it isn't "faster" or "slower" than the primary — it points to the same Google Public DNS service. The reason to set it is resilience: if the primary has a brief hiccup, your device keeps resolving names instead of failing.

Set 8.8.8.8 as your primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 as the secondary to get Google Public DNS either way.

Time 8.8.4.4 from your connection

This runs a live timing check against Google Public DNS's encrypted DoH endpoint — a browser can't query the raw IP 8.8.4.4 directly, so this is the closest honest measurement of that resolver from your network. Nothing is fabricated: if the endpoint can't be reached or read, the tool says so instead of guessing a number.

Runs in your browser against the resolver's DoH endpoint; nothing is stored. For a full multi-resolver comparison on your connection, use the DNS speed test.

Should you use it?

A globally distributed, extremely reliable resolver. Uses EDNS Client Subnet, which helps CDN routing at a small privacy cost.

Best for: Reliability, Global coverage, CDN locality.

Like any public resolver, Google Public DNS 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 Google Public DNS, set 8.8.8.8 as your primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 as the secondary — see the device and router setup guides or read the Google Public DNS full review .

8.8.4.4 — frequently asked questions

Is 8.8.4.4 safe to use?

Yes. 8.8.4.4 is a legitimate public DNS address operated by Google (Google Public DNS). Keeps a temporary log for a small sample of queries (roughly 24–48h) and permanent anonymized logs. Sends EDNS Client Subnet, which can improve CDN locality but shares part of your network with authoritative servers.

Is 8.8.4.4 free?

Yes — Google Public DNS is a free public resolver. Point your device or router's DNS at 8.8.8.8 (primary) and 8.8.4.4 (secondary).

Does 8.8.4.4 log my activity?

Keeps a temporary log for a small sample of queries (roughly 24–48h) and permanent anonymized logs. Sends EDNS Client Subnet, which can improve CDN locality but shares part of your network with authoritative servers.

Is 8.8.4.4 faster than my ISP's DNS?

Often, but it depends on your location and network. Use the timing button above to measure it from your own connection, or run the full DNS speed test.

What's the difference between 8.8.4.4 and 8.8.8.8?

8.8.8.8 is Google Public DNS's primary DNS address and 8.8.4.4 is the secondary. Your device queries the primary first and only falls back to 8.8.4.4 if the primary stops answering. Both point to the same Google Public DNS service with the same features, so the secondary is there for redundancy, not extra speed — set 8.8.8.8 as your first DNS entry and 8.8.4.4 as the second.