What is an MX record?

Learn what “MX record” means in plain words.

MX record

Mail Exchange

A DNS entry that tells the internet which server should receive email sent to addresses at your domain.

What is an MX record used for?

It makes sure an email sent to hello@yourcompany.com lands in the right mailbox. The number next to the entry (for example 10) sets the order of the servers: email goes to the one with the lower number first.

What should you watch out for?

We never change MX records when moving a website. Changing them by mistake stops email for the whole domain.

Category: Email

DNSThe list of settings for your domain. It tells the internet which server your website is on and where your email should go. Think of it as the internet’s address book.
SPFA DNS entry that lists the servers allowed to send email on behalf of your domain. It helps keep your emails out of spam.
DKIMA digital signature on your emails. The recipient’s mailbox checks it with a key stored in your domain’s DNS and knows the email really came from your domain.
DMARCA DNS entry that tells recipients’ mailboxes what to do with an email from your domain that fails the SPF or DKIM check: deliver it, move it to spam or reject it.
SpamUnwanted messages. Mailboxes filter them into a separate folder, so your email sending has to be set up properly to keep your emails out of it.

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A record

Backup

CDN
CMS
CNAME record

DKIM
DMARC
DNS
Domain
Domain registrar

Hosting
HTTPS

Plugin

React Email

Server
Spam
SPF
SSL certificate

TXT record

User role

WordPress

Y Combinator

All terms

What is an MX record?

What is an MX record used for?

What should you watch out for?

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All terms A-Z