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What is 8.8.8.8?

8.8.8.8 is the primary DNS resolver address for Google Public DNS, run by Google. 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 8.8.8.8?

8.8.8.8 is the primary DNS resolver address for Google Public DNS, operated by Google. A globally distributed, extremely reliable resolver. Uses EDNS Client Subnet, which helps CDN routing at a small privacy cost.

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

Primary and secondary — why there are two

8.8.8.8 is Google Public DNS's primary address — the one your device queries first. Google Public DNS also publishes a secondary, 8.8.4.4, 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.

Time 8.8.8.8 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 8.8.8.8 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 .

8.8.8.8 — frequently asked questions

Is 8.8.8.8 safe to use?

Yes. 8.8.8.8 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 8.8.8.8 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 8.8.8.8 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 8.8.8.8 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.

Do I also need the secondary 8.8.4.4?

It's recommended. 8.8.8.8 is Google Public DNS's primary address and 8.8.4.4 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.