Key takeaways
- Changing your DNS will not lower your in-game ping to a server you are already connected to. That number is set by routing and distance, not your resolver.
- A faster DNS does speed up matchmaking, launcher and store page loads, update checks, and the initial connection to a game, which is where most gamers feel the benefit.
- Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) is the best all-around pick for gaming, with Google (8.8.8.8) as a reliable secondary. Real ping improvements come from fixing bufferbloat, going wired, and using quality hardware.
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Does changing your DNS actually lower ping?
Short answer: no, not the ping that matters during a match. Once you are connected to a game server, your ping is determined by the physical distance to that server and the route your traffic takes across the internet. Your DNS resolver has already done its job by then and is no longer in the loop.
This is the most common myth in gaming network advice, and plenty of articles promise DNS will drop your ping. It will not. What a good DNS does is resolve domain names into IP addresses faster, which affects the moments around your gameplay rather than the gameplay itself.
What a faster DNS does help with
Switching from your ISP's default resolver to a fast public one produces real, noticeable improvements in several places:
- Matchmaking and server lookups: games and platforms resolve multiple domains when finding a match or connecting to a lobby. A faster resolver shaves time off that handshake.
- Launchers and store pages: Steam, Epic, PlayStation Store, and Xbox storefronts load faster when domain lookups are quick.
- Update and download checks: the back-and-forth that happens before a patch starts downloading resolves faster.
- Fewer connection hitches: if your ISP's DNS is slow or overloaded at peak hours, a public resolver avoids those stalls.
None of this changes your in-match latency, but it makes the whole experience around your games feel snappier, and it removes a slow ISP resolver as a variable.
Best DNS servers for gaming
These are the resolvers worth using. All are free and work on PC, Mac, consoles, and routers.
| Resolver | Primary / Secondary IP | Lookup speed | Best for gamers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 | Fastest | Best all-around pick, lowest lookup latency |
| Google Public DNS | 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4 | Fast | Rock-solid reliability, ideal as a secondary |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 / 149.112.112.112 | Fast | Security focused, may rarely block a game domain |
| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222 / 208.67.220.220 | Solid | Family filtering on a shared gaming PC or console |
Our pick for most gamers: set 1.1.1.1 as your primary DNS and 8.8.8.8 as your secondary. You get Cloudflare's speed with Google's reliability as a fallback if the primary is ever unreachable. For a full breakdown of each provider's privacy and security trade-offs, see our Cloudflare vs Google vs OpenDNS vs Quad9 comparison.
A quick note on Quad9 and OpenDNS for gaming: both add filtering that checks each domain against threat or content lists. The speed cost is tiny, but on rare occasions a filter can block a legitimate game or anti-cheat domain. If you want pure speed with no filtering, stick with Cloudflare or Google. If a shared family PC is more the priority, OpenDNS filtering is a reasonable trade.
How to change DNS on PS5
- Go to Settings, then Network.
- Select Settings, then Set Up Internet Connection.
- Highlight your current network, press the Options button, and choose Advanced Settings.
- Set DNS Settings to Manual.
- Enter 1.1.1.1 as Primary DNS and 8.8.8.8 as Secondary DNS, then save.
How to change DNS on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Press the Xbox button, then go to Settings, then General, then Network settings.
- Select Advanced settings, then DNS settings.
- Choose Manual.
- Enter 1.1.1.1 for Primary IPv4 DNS and 8.8.8.8 for Secondary IPv4 DNS, then save.
On Nintendo Switch: go to System Settings, then Internet, then Internet Settings, select your network, choose Change Settings, set DNS Settings to Manual, and enter the same primary and secondary addresses.
The cleanest option: change DNS on your router
Setting DNS once on your router applies it to every device on your network, including consoles, PCs, and phones, so you do not have to configure each one. Log into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), find the WAN or Internet settings, switch DNS from automatic to manual, enter your primary and secondary addresses, then save and reboot.
For step by step instructions covering routers, Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, see our complete guide to the best DNS servers and how to change your DNS.
What actually lowers your ping
If you came here to fix lag, lag spikes, or rubber-banding, DNS is not your answer. These changes are what genuinely reduce latency in games:
- Fix bufferbloat. This is the single most overlooked cause of in-game lag spikes. When someone else on your network streams or uploads, a bloated buffer makes your ping balloon. Our guide on what bufferbloat is and how to fix it walks through testing and the queue management settings that solve it.
- Go wired. A direct Ethernet connection from your console or PC to the router eliminates the jitter and packet loss that Wi-Fi introduces.
- Use a quality modem. Older modems with certain chipsets are notorious for latency spikes. A modern, stable modem keeps your connection consistent. See our picks for the best DOCSIS 3.1 modems.
- Add a gaming router. Routers with proper Quality of Service and active queue management prioritize game traffic over everything else on the network. Browse our
Frequently asked questions
Does changing DNS reduce lag in games?
No. DNS does not affect your ping to a game server once you are connected, so it will not reduce in-game lag, lag spikes, or rubber-banding. Those come from bufferbloat, Wi-Fi, routing, or distance to the server. A faster DNS only speeds up domain lookups, which helps matchmaking and load times.
What is the best DNS for gaming?
For most gamers, Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 as the primary with Google 8.8.8.8 as the secondary is the best setup. It gives you the fastest lookups with a reliable fallback. Both are free and work on PC, consoles, and routers.
What is the best DNS for PS5?
Use 1.1.1.1 as Primary DNS and 8.8.8.8 as Secondary DNS. Set it under Settings, Network, Settings, Set Up Internet Connection, Advanced Settings, DNS Settings, Manual.
What is the best DNS for Xbox?
The same pairing works best on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One: 1.1.1.1 primary and 8.8.8.8 secondary. Set it under Settings, General, Network settings, Advanced settings, DNS settings, Manual.
Is Cloudflare or Google DNS better for gaming?
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is usually faster on lookups and makes the better primary. Google 8.8.8.8 is extremely reliable and makes an excellent secondary. Using one as primary and the other as secondary gives you the best of both.
Will a faster DNS speed up game downloads?
It can slightly speed up the initial connection and update check before a download begins, but the download speed itself is limited by your internet plan, the game server, and your hardware, not your DNS.
Can changing my DNS get me banned or trigger anti-cheat?
No. Using a public DNS resolver like Cloudflare or Google is completely legitimate and does not interfere with anti-cheat systems or violate any game's terms. Bans are tied to behavior and software, not which DNS resolver you use. Just avoid filtering resolvers that might block a game or anti-cheat domain if you run into connection errors.
Is DNS or a VPN better for gaming?
For lowering latency on your home region, neither lowers in-game ping, and a VPN usually raises it by adding an extra hop. A fast DNS is the better, free choice for snappier lookups. A VPN or smart DNS is only worth it when you specifically need to reach servers in another region, and you should expect higher ping in exchange.
What is the best free DNS for gaming?
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 and Google 8.8.8.8 are the best free options, and you do not need a paid service to get the benefits. Paid gaming DNS products mostly sell region switching, which is a different feature and tends to increase latency rather than reduce it.
Why is my ping still high after changing DNS?
Because DNS was never the cause. Start by testing for bufferbloat, switch to a wired Ethernet connection, and make sure your modem and router are not the bottleneck. Those are the changes that actually lower ping.
