DNS Servers for Gaming: The 12 Best to Lower Your Ping 🚀🔥
When a user enters a domain into a web browser, such as techviral.net or youtube.com, DNS servers look up the IP addresses associated with those domains and then send them to the web server of the page being visited. 🌐
Choosing the best DNS servers for gaming will help you optimize the entire process. If you frequently play online, it's recommended to use the best DNS server for gaming to reduce ping and improve gameplay. Let's take a look at the best DNS servers for gaming! 🎮
1. Google Public DNS
Google DNS is one of the best and most popular public DNS servers available today. It offers faster speeds and specific browsing improvements compared to other public DNS servers. 🚀
This public DNS server was launched in December 2009 and continues to serve millions of users. If you configure Google Public DNS on your router or computer, you'll have an excellent gaming experience. 🎉
Additionally, the DNS server significantly improves internet speed and reduces latency (Ping), which is key in online gaming.
As if that weren't enough, Google Public DNS also protects your computer from various security threats and provides better speed than the default DNS assigned by your Internet service provider. Here's how to configure Google Public DNS on your PC:
Preferred DNS Server: 8.8.8.8
Alternative DNS Server: 8.8.4.4
2. OpenDNS
OpenDNS may be the best option if you're looking for a public DNS server that offers web content filtering and other security features. 🔒
OpenDNS is also one of the oldest DNS servers for gaming, created in 2005 and acquired by Cisco in 2015.
While OpenDNS isn't the most recommended for improving your gaming experience, it's still one of the leading DNS for gamers. The great thing about OpenDNS is that it has over 30 fast DNS servers located on different continents. To use OpenDNS, you must configure these addresses:
Preferred DNS Server: 208.67.222.222
Alternative DNS Server: 208.67.220.220
3. Cloudflare DNS
Cloudflare DNS is arguably the best and one of the fastest public DNS servers available. This server improves user privacy and can increase internet speed by 281 Mbps. 🚀
Cloudflare recently launched its free DNS service; prior to that, it was known as one of the largest content delivery networks (CDNs).
Cloudflare's free DNS server, 1.1.1.1, is recognized as the fastest on the internet in terms of latency (Ping). Thanks to its incredible features and reduced latency, it's often considered the best DNS server for gaming. 🎮✨
To set up Cloudflare DNS on your router or computer, you need to enter these addresses:
Preferred DNS Server: 1.1.1.1
Alternative DNS Server: 1.0.0.1
4. Quad9
The Quad9 DNS server is highly recommended for improving network security. Its advanced built-in filter constantly monitors your network and blocks all malicious activity. 🔐
Support for the DNSCrypt protocol is another strong point for Quad9. This protocol encrypts the connection between your device and the DNS server to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
Although Quad9 isn't widely known for its gaming features, it's better than the default DNS server provided by your ISP. This server can improve your internet speed and decrease your PING rate when gaming online. To set up Quad9 on your PC, use these addresses:
Preferred DNS Server: 9.9.9.9
Alternative DNS Server: 149.112.112.112
5. OpenNIC DNS
OpenNIC DNS is another of the best DNS servers for gaming that claims to offer faster internet speeds. This is an excellent DNS server if you frequently play browser-based games. 🕹️
OpenNIC DNS allows you to browse websites faster and play online games smoothly. It can also improve your PC gaming experience by reducing lag and latency.
Other features of OpenNIC DNS include access to uncensored content, easy setup, and protection against DNS hijacking by ISPs. Overall, OpenNIC DNS is a great public DNS server for gaming. To use this server, configure these addresses:
Preferred DNS Server: 46.151.208.154
Alternative DNS Server: 128.199.248.105
6. Dynamic DNS
Dynamic DNS, or DYN, is an underrated DNS server on the list, but it's good for gaming and guarantees a high-speed connection.
DYN's main goal is to provide a super-fast and secure web browsing experience.
Since it's designed to offer faster internet speeds, you'll notice the difference when playing online. It also provides some protection against phishing attacks. Overall, Dynamic DNS is an excellent public DNS server for gaming.
To use Dynamic DNS on your router or computer, you must configure these addresses:
Preferred DNS Server: 216.146.35.35
Alternative DNS Server: 216.146.36.36
7. AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS is slightly different from all the other DNS servers mentioned. It's a DNS server designed to block ads on websites. 🚫💻
AdGuard DNS It's known for removing ads and blocking inappropriate content on the internet. By blocking ads, it also speeds up internet browsing. 📈
So, if you are frustrated with the amount of Ads you see while playing, you need to configure AdGuard DNSThis will remove all annoying ads and improve your gaming experience.
To use AdGuard DNS, users must configure their network settings with IP addresses 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15.
Preferred DNS Server: 94.140.14.14
Alternative DNS Server: 94.140.15.15
8. SafeDNS
SafeDNS is the only DNS server that offers both free and premium plans. While both versions improve the browsing experience, the premium version offers some additional features. 💡
SafeDNS's premium DNS server can protect your PC from hacking attacks and has features to safeguard user privacy.
While SafeDNS isn't specifically known for its gaming features, it does improve your internet speed and offers improved latency (PING).
Preferred DNS Server: 195.46.39.39
Alternative DNS Server: 195.46.39.40
9. Comodo Secure DNS
If you're looking for a DNS server with maximum security and privacy protection, Comodo Secure DNS is for you. 🔒
Comodo Secure DNS is one of the best cloud servers that offers impressive security features.
Once configured, Comodo Secure DNS can easily block phishing attacks and malicious websites. The beauty of Comodo Secure DNS is its Anycast DNS infrastructure, which is hosted in over 25 countries.
It's one of the best DNS servers for improving your internet speed. While it's not highly recommended by gamers, it's better than the default DNS provided by your ISP.
Preferred DNS Server: 8.26.56.26
Alternative DNS Server: 8.20.247.20
10. DNS.watch
DNS.watch is a good option for those looking for a DNS server optimized for maximum speed. It's a public DNS server for gaming that guarantees a fast connection. ⚡️
Once you configure this DNS server, you won't experience any delays while browsing the web. This DNS server is also known for offering several security features.
DNS.watch can easily handle websites attempting to execute malicious scripts, eliminate phishing attacks, protect against malware, and more.
It's perfect for a lag-free gaming experience with better frame rates and lower latency.
Preferred DNS Server: 84.200.67.80
Alternative DNS Server: 84.200.70.40
11. Level 3
Level 3 is a great free third-party DNS service provider that enhances the gaming experience. While its DNS resolver isn't as popular as some of the other options on the list, it's still an excellent choice. 🎮
Level 3 DNS offers excellent speeds to ensure a lag-free gaming experience. It's also important to mention that Level 3 provides many ISPs with their internet queue connection.
The company is huge, and its DNS servers are top-notch. Level 3 is another great DNS server for gaming that you might want to consider.
Preferred DNS Server: 209.244.0.3
Alternative DNS Server: 209.244.0.4
12. Norton ConnectSafe
This DNS server comes from one of the leading security companies, Norton. Norton ConnectSafe is a free DNS solution that protects your devices from threats that can enter while browsing the web. 🔒🛡️
The DNS server is powerful enough to detect and block malicious, phishing, and unsafe websites. While Norton ConnectSafe isn't popular for gaming, it's worth trying as it blocks some in-game ads.
The primary purpose of Norton ConnectSafe DNS is to protect you from threats while you browse. Here are the addresses:
Preferred DNS Server: 199.85.126.10
Alternative DNS Server: 199.85.127.10
🧭 How to change the DNS server address on Windows, Android, and iPhone
💻 On Windows 10/11
🔍 Right click on the network icon (bottom right) and choose “Open Network & Internet Settings”.
🌐 In the left panel, select “Change adapter options”.
📶 Right-click on your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and choose "Properties".
🛠️ Search and select “Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and then click on "Properties".
✏️ Activate the option “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
🧩 Enter the desired DNS (for example:
1.1.1.1and1.0.0.1for Cloudflare).✅ Click on "Accept" to save the changes.
🧠 TIP: I repeated the process for the IPv6 if you use it (Protocol version 6).
🤖 On Android (general steps)
(steps may vary slightly depending on the brand and version of Android)
⚙️ I opened “Settings”.
📶 Enter “Networks” or “Wi-Fi”.
📡 Press and hold your current Wi-Fi network and tap “Modify network”.
🔍 I chose “Advanced Options” either “IP Configuration: Static”.
✏️ Change the DNS 1 and DNS 2 for which you want to use (
8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4for example, from Google).💾 Save the changes.
🛑 Important: This only affects Wi-Fi, not mobile data.
🍏 On iPhone / iPad (iOS)
⚙️ Enter “Settings” > “Wi-Fi”.
📶 Tap the “i” next to your connected Wi-Fi network.
🔧 Scroll down to the section “Configure DNS”.
🔄 Change your Automatic to Manual.
➕ Add the desired DNS servers (
9.9.9.9and149.112.112.112for example, from Quad9).🗑️ Delete old DNS if they appear.
✅ Touch "Keep".
📡 It only applies to Wi-Fi networks; it does not modify the mobile data connection.
These are some of the best DNS servers for gaming. We guarantee you'll have a lag-free gaming experience by switching to these gaming DNS servers! If you need more help choosing the best DNS servers for gaming, let us know in the comments below. 👇🎮
