Why DNS Speed Matters
Every time you visit a website, your device first asks a DNS server to translate the domain name into an IP address. This lookup happens before any data loads. If your DNS server is slow, every website you visit adds a small delay before it even starts loading.
Most people use their ISP's default DNS server, which is often not optimized for speed. ISP DNS servers are frequently overloaded, poorly maintained, or located far from the user. The good news: you can switch to a faster public DNS server in under five minutes, for free, on any device.
Here is the real-world impact. The average modern web page makes 20 to 30 DNS lookups during a single page load. If each lookup takes 50 milliseconds on your ISP DNS but only 10 milliseconds on Cloudflare, you save 800 to 1,200 milliseconds per page. That is roughly one full second shaved off every page load. Across a browsing session with dozens of page views, the cumulative savings are noticeable.
The Fastest Public DNS Servers
We tested 17+ public DNS servers from 8 countries using DNS-over-HTTPS queries. Here are the top performers:
1. Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 — 11 ms average
The fastest public DNS resolver in the world. Cloudflare operates over 300 edge locations in 100+ countries, which means your query always reaches a server close to you. Completely free with no query limits. Supports DoH, DoT, and DoQ. Read our full Cloudflare DNS review.
IPs: 1.1.1.1 (primary) and 1.0.0.1 (secondary)
2. Google 8.8.8.8 — 20 ms average
The most established public DNS service, operational since 2009. Google's massive infrastructure delivers consistent performance worldwide. Slightly slower than Cloudflare on average but wins in parts of Asia-Pacific. See our Google DNS review.
IPs: 8.8.8.8 (primary) and 8.8.4.4 (secondary)
3. Quad9 9.9.9.9 — 22 ms average
The security-focused option. Quad9 blocks malware and phishing by default, which can actually make browsing faster because blocked domains fail instantly instead of loading. Faster than Google in Europe. Read our Quad9 review.
IPs: 9.9.9.9 (primary) and 149.112.112.112 (secondary)
Run our free DNS speed test to see which resolver is fastest from your specific network.
How to Change Your DNS
The process takes under five minutes on any device. Pick your platform below.
Windows 10 / 11
Open Settings, go to Network and Internet, click Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then click Properties. Under IP settings, click Edit, change the dropdown to Manual, toggle IPv4 on, and enter the DNS addresses. For Cloudflare, use 1.1.1.1 as preferred and 1.0.0.1 as alternate. Click Save. See our full Windows DNS guide with screenshots.
macOS
Open System Settings, click Network, select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), click Details, then go to the DNS tab. Click the plus button under DNS Servers, add 1.1.1.1, click plus again and add 1.0.0.1. Click OK. See our macOS DNS guide.
iPhone / iPad
Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, tap the info icon next to your connected network, tap Configure DNS, switch to Manual, tap Add Server, enter 1.1.1.1. Tap Add Server again and enter 1.0.0.1. Tap Save. See our iPhone DNS guide.
Android
Open Settings, tap Network and Internet, tap Private DNS, select Private DNS provider hostname, and enter 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com. Tap Save. Android 9 and above support Private DNS natively. See our Android DNS guide.
Router (All Devices at Once)
Access your router's admin page by entering its IP address in your browser (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Log in, find DNS settings under WAN or Internet, and replace your ISP's DNS with Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). Save and reboot. Every device on your network will use the new DNS automatically. See our router DNS guide for brand-specific instructions.
How to Verify It Worked
After changing your DNS settings, run our DNS speed test to confirm you are using the new resolver and to see your improved response times. The test shows which DNS server your device is currently using and measures its response time from your location.
You can also check your DNS settings to confirm the change stuck. On Windows, open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /all — look for the DNS Servers line. On macOS, open Terminal and run scutil --dns | grep nameserver. On iPhone, go back to your Wi-Fi settings and check the Configure DNS section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing DNS really make my internet faster?
Changing your DNS server will not increase your download speed or bandwidth, but it can make web browsing feel faster. DNS resolution is the first step in loading any website. A faster DNS resolver reduces the time between clicking a link and the page starting to load. Our tests show that switching from a slow ISP DNS to Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 can save 5 to 15 milliseconds per DNS lookup. With modern web pages making 20 to 30 DNS requests per page load, that adds up to hundreds of milliseconds saved per page.
What is the fastest DNS server?
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is the fastest public DNS resolver globally, with an average response time of 11 milliseconds. Google 8.8.8.8 averages 20 milliseconds. Quad9 9.9.9.9 averages 22 milliseconds but is faster in Europe. The fastest DNS for you depends on your location and ISP. Run our DNS speed test at dnsbench.pp.ua to find the fastest resolver from your network.
Is it safe to change my DNS server?
Yes. Changing your DNS server is completely safe and reversible. You can switch back to your ISP default DNS at any time. Major public DNS providers like Cloudflare, Google, and Quad9 are used by hundreds of millions of people. All three support encrypted DNS protocols (DoH and DoT) for additional security. The only risk is if a DNS provider goes down, in which case your internet stops working until you switch back. Using a primary and secondary DNS from different providers eliminates this risk.
Which DNS is best for streaming Netflix?
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 and Google 8.8.8.8 are both excellent for streaming because they do not block any content. Quad9 9.9.9.9 is also suitable. Avoid DNS filtering services like AdGuard DNS or NextDNS for streaming, as they may block tracking domains that streaming apps depend on. For the fastest streaming experience, choose the DNS server with the lowest latency from your location. Run our speed test to find out which is fastest for you.
Test Your DNS Speed
Find the fastest DNS server for your location. Our free tool benchmarks multiple resolvers from your network and shows you which one is fastest.
Run DNS Speed Test
Want to learn more? Read our complete DNS guide, compare all DNS providers, or find the fastest DNS for your country.