---
title: "What Is TTL (Time to live)? Domain Glossary | Grit Brokerage"
description: "The number of seconds a DNS answer may be cached before a resolver must ask again. A low TTL means changes spread faster, and a high TTL means fewer lookups."
url: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/ttl
publisher: Grit Brokerage
contact: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact
offer: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/inquiry
---

Registration and DNS

# Time to live (TTL)

The number of seconds a DNS answer may be cached before a resolver must ask again. A low TTL means changes spread faster, and a high TTL means fewer lookups.

## Why it matters

TTL controls how long old DNS data sticks around. If a record has a TTL of 86400, some users may see the old answer for up to a day after you change it. Before a domain moves to a buyer's website or email service, lower the TTL a day ahead so the cutover is quick. Raise it again afterward. A common mistake is changing records at the moment of closing with a high TTL and then thinking the change failed. It is usually just cache. TTL affects DNS records only. It has nothing to do with the registration's expiration date.

Source: [datatracker.ietf.org](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc1035)

## Where we use this term

-   [When Should a Startup Upgrade to a Better Domain Name?](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/startup-domain-upgrade)

## Buying or selling a domain?

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[Talk to a broker](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact) [Call (442) 500-GRIT](tel:+1-442-500-4748)