Direct answer

A DNS A record points a hostname to an IPv4 address. For example, play.example.com can resolve to a public game-host IPv4 address; the record does not specify a Minecraft port.

Recommended procedure

  1. At your authoritative DNS provider, create an A record named play with your actual publicly reachable IPv4 address.
  2. Use DNS-only mode when using a web-proxy provider that does not proxy Minecraft TCP traffic.
  3. If the Java server listens on a non-default port, connect with play.example.com:PORT or add a suitable SRV record.
  4. Check router and hosting-provider firewall routing separately.

Why this matters

An A record is a name-to-address mapping, not a port forward. Adding the correct IP will not repair CGNAT, a stopped server or a blocked port.

How to verify the result

Check dig A play.example.com or nslookup play.example.com against the actual public address, then join from an external connection.

Version and compatibility notes

Do not point public DNS to 127.0.0.1, 192.168.x.x or an otherwise unroutable LAN address.

Related topic: How to Point a Domain to a Minecraft Server. Compare the two guides when choosing the right diagnostic or configuration step.

Official references

These sources were checked for the current MSH revision. Version-sensitive details should always be confirmed against the project documentation for the release you run.

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