What Is an MX Record? How It Keeps Email Flowing
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What Is an MX Record? How It Keeps Email Flowing
When you send or receive email, there’s a hidden system working behind the scenes to make sure messages reach the right place. This system relies on DNS records, and one of the most important is the MX record.
What Is an MX Record?
An MX (Mail Exchange) record tells the internet which server should receive email for your domain. Without it, messages sent to you@yourdomain.com would have nowhere to go.
How MX Records Work
- You send an email to you@yourdomain.com.
- The sending server checks the DNS for MX records.
- The MX record points to your mail server (e.g. mail.yourdomain.com).
- Your mail server accepts the message and delivers it to your inbox.
MX Records and DNS Priority
MX records can have multiple entries with different priority numbers. The server with the lowest number has the highest priority. If that server is unavailable, the next one is used.
Checking Your MX Records
You can check MX records using tools like dig or nslookup, or with online DNS lookup services. Read our DNS management guide for more detail.
Common Issues
- No MX record set – email won’t be delivered at all.
- Incorrect MX hostname – messages may bounce.
- Priority conflicts – misconfigured fallback servers can cause delays.
Next Steps
For stronger email protection, configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alongside your MX records. These help stop spam and spoofing attempts.
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Friday, October 24, 2025
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