---
title: "DNS Hosting – NameServers"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/portal/domains-and-dns/dns-management/dns-hosting-name-servers/"
description: "Your domain's designated NameServers (NS) serve DNS records that guide visitors directly to your server when they enter your domain name into a browser so it is…"
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2024-03-04"
last_modified: "2026-07-23"
---

# DNS Hosting – NameServers

## Where is my DNS Hosted?

Your domain’s designated NameServers (NS) serve DNS records that guide visitors directly to your server when they enter your domain name into a browser so it is important to know where they are hosted, and how to make adjustments, if needed.

NameSevers are configured at the DNS Registrar level, this could be Liquid Web, or a third party DNS provider.

You have three options for configuring the NameServers that will host your DNS:

- The official Liquid Web NameServers: 
    - ns.liquidweb.com
    - ns1.liquidweb.com  
        or
    - ns.sourcedns.com
    - ns1.sourcedns.com
- Private NameServers you have setup on a server you control. 
    - Ex.: ns.mysite.com
- A third party server or DNS Provider/Registrar. 
    - Ex.: Enom, GoDaddy, Namecheap, a friend’s server, etc.

TipIf you don’t update DNS in the right place, your changes won’t take effect and your websites won’t load properly.

## Lookup your NameServers

### Using the whois command

1. In a terminal window, type  
    `whois mysite.com<br></br>`and press **Enter**. Be sure to replace “mysite.com” with your site’s domain.
2. You’ll be served information related to your domain, including the current NameServers you domain is using.

### Using a Registration data lookup tool

If you are unable to use a terminal, there are free [online WHOIS checking tools](https://whois.icann.org/en) that can lookup your domain’s publicly available whois information.

### Whois Domain Information

The following is an example of Liquidweb.com’s public whois information.

- **Name:** 
    - LIQUIDWEB.COM
- **Registry Domain ID:** 
    - 1458046\_DOMAIN\_COM-VRSN
- **Domain Status:**
    - [clientTransferProhibited](https://icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited)
- **Nameservers:**
    - NS.LIQUIDWEB.COM
    - NS1.LIQUIDWEB.COM

## Checking DNS Propagation

You can easily look up what DNS records are propagating from your Nameservers out to the world, by using our free online tool: [https://www.liquidweb.com/tools/dns-checker/](https://www.liquidweb.com/tools/dns-checker/)

![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/image-75-1024x568-1.png)1. Enter in your website into the **Domain** text field.
2. Select *NS* as the **Record Type** using the dropdown menu.
3. Click **Look up DNS** to find your results.

## Learn more about DNS

Learn more about exactly how DNS records work by checking out the following articles:

1. [What Is the Domain Name System (DNS)?](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/portal/domains-and-dns/dns-management/what-is-the-domain-name-system-dns/)
2. [What Are DNS Records?](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/portal/domains-and-dns/dns-management/what-are-dns-records/)

### DNS Tutorials

- If you use Liquid Web nameservers: edit your DNS records in your [Liquid Web account](https://portal.nexcess.com/).
- If you use private nameservers and have a cPanel server: edit your DNS by [logging into WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/getting-started-with-whm/) and searching for “Edit DNS Zone.”
- If you use a different registrar’s nameservers: edit your DNS records by logging into your account at your registrar.