What you need from your email provider
- One or more mail server names for the MX records.
- A priority number for each server. A lower number means the server is tried first.
- An SPF record, which is a TXT record starting with v=spf1.
- A DKIM record, usually a TXT or CNAME record on a name your provider gives you.
Add MX records step by step
1. Open the DNS tab
Go to Dashboard, then Domains, select the domain and open the DNS tab.
2. Remove old MX records
If the domain has MX records from a previous email provider, delete them. Mixed MX records send part of your mail to the wrong place.
3. Add each MX record
Click Add record and choose type MX. Enter @ as Host, paste the mail server name as Value and enter the priority. Save, then repeat for every server your provider lists.
4. Add SPF and DKIM
Add the SPF value as a TXT record on @. Add the DKIM record on the exact host name your provider gives you. Use one SPF record only. If you send mail from several services, combine them in one record.
5. Verify at your email provider
Click verify in your email provider's setup screen. Then send a test message to your new address from another account.
How an MX record looks in the DNS tab
| Type | Host | Value | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| MX | @ | first mail server name from your provider | 10 |
| MX | @ | second mail server name from your provider | 20 |
| TXT | @ | v=spf1 include value from your provider ~all | none |
Email does not arrive. What should I check?
Check that the MX value has no typos and that the domain uses our nameservers. If you set custom nameservers, add the MX records at that DNS provider instead.
Will URL forwarding break my email?
No. URL forwarding only changes web traffic. MX records keep working.
How long until new MX records work?
Usually within an hour. Old records with a long TTL can take up to a day to disappear everywhere.