Will changing my DNS server make my internet faster?

It can shave 20–100 ms off page-load time if your ISP's resolver is slow or geographically distant. It won't change download speeds or video stream quality.

What's the best public DNS server?

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is the most performant globally, Google 8.8.8.8 is a strong all-rounder, Quad9 9.9.9.9 adds security filtering. Test from your location — the 'fastest' resolver depends on where you are.

Is it safe to change my DNS server?

Yes, when using established providers. The resolver sees every domain you look up, so trust matters. Avoid unknown 'free, fast' DNS services that may log or monetize your queries.

Where do I change my DNS settings?

Either on each device (OS network settings) or once at the router level (router admin panel). Router-level applies to the whole household; per-device gives more control.

Changing Your DNS Server — When, Why, and How

Changing your DNS server: practical guidance

Switching DNS is one of the cheapest performance tweaks available — free, reversible, and applied in two minutes. It's also one of the most over-hyped: it helps real cases meaningfully and doesn't help most other situations at all.

What changing DNS actually does

DNS is the step that turns a domain name into an IP address. It happens before any data transfers. If your resolver is slow or distant, every new domain you visit pays a 50–200 ms tax before the first byte arrives. A faster resolver removes that tax.

What it does NOT change: download speed, upload speed, latency to a specific IP once connected, video stream bitrate, or game ping.

Popular public resolvers

Cloudflare — 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 — focused on speed and privacy, no logging beyond 24-hour debug retention.
Google — 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4 — fast, globally distributed, owned by Google.
Quad9 — 9.9.9.9 — blocks known-malicious domains by default; nonprofit, privacy-respecting.
OpenDNS / Cisco — 208.67.222.222 — filtering and parental control options.

Filtering resolvers

Some resolvers offer DNS-level blocking for ads, trackers, or adult content. NextDNS and ControlD let you customize block lists per household. Pi-hole and AdGuard Home let you run your own. These add value beyond raw speed.

Changing DNS at the router (recommended)

Log in to your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
Find DNS or DHCP settings.
Set primary and secondary DNS to your chosen resolver.
Save and reboot. Devices pick up the new DNS on next DHCP lease.

Per-device alternative

If you don't have router access (e.g. ISP-locked gateway), change DNS on each device individually — Windows: Network adapter properties. macOS: System Settings → Network → DNS. iOS/Android: Wi-Fi → configure DNS. This also lets one device use a different resolver than the rest of the household.

Verify the change worked

Use our DNS lookup tool or DNS speed test to confirm queries are hitting the new resolver and to compare response times before/after.