---
id: "root-server"
kind: "glossary-term"
title: "root server"
language: "en"
category: "DNS and technical foundations"
updated: "2026-10-04T14:01:23Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/glossary/root-server/"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/glosario/servidor-raiz/"
  de: "https://tldlog.com/de/glossar/root-server/"
  fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/glossaire/serveur-racine/"
  it: "https://tldlog.com/it/glossario/server-radice/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/glossario/servidor-raiz/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/glossariy/kornevoy-server/"
  zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/cihui/gen-fuwuqi/"
---

# root server

A server that answers questions about the root zone, the top of the DNS. It tells resolvers where to find the servers for each TLD. There are 13 root server identities, each run by an operator from many anycast locations.

## related terms

- [root zone](https://tldlog.com/glossary/root-zone/)
- [Root Server System](https://tldlog.com/glossary/root-server-system/)
- [RSSAC](https://tldlog.com/glossary/rssac/)
- [anycast](https://tldlog.com/glossary/anycast/)