---
id: "root-hints"
kind: "glossary-term"
title: "root hints"
language: "en"
category: "DNS and technical foundations"
updated: "2026-10-04T14:01:23Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/glossary/root-hints/"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/glosario/archivo-sugerencias-raiz/"
  de: "https://tldlog.com/de/glossar/root-hints/"
  fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/glossaire/indications-racine/"
  it: "https://tldlog.com/it/glossario/root-hints/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/glossario/root-hints/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/glossariy/kornevye-podskazki/"
  zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/cihui/gen-tishi/"
---

# root hints

A small file built into DNS resolver software that lists the names and IP addresses of the root servers. A resolver needs it to find its first server when it starts. IANA publishes the official version. Changes to a root server's address make old copies partly outdated.

## related terms

- [root server](https://tldlog.com/glossary/root-server/)
- [root zone](https://tldlog.com/glossary/root-zone/)
- [resolver](https://tldlog.com/glossary/resolver/)
- [IANA](https://tldlog.com/glossary/iana/)
- [trust anchor](https://tldlog.com/glossary/trust-anchor/)