About the MX Record Lookup
MX (mail exchanger) records tell sending servers where to deliver email for a domain. This MX lookup lists each record with its priority, resolves the mail server hostnames to IP addresses and identifies the email provider, such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or Zoho, from the hostnames. It queries public DNS from our server.
Check MX records after switching email providers, when mail is not arriving, or when onboarding a client to an email marketing platform. Lower priority numbers are tried first. Leftover records from an old provider can send some mail to the wrong place, so remove them once you have migrated. For deliverability, review the domain's SPF, DKIM and DMARC records as well.
How to use it
- Enter the domain used in the email addresses.
- Review the MX records and their priorities.
- Check the resolved IP addresses and detected provider.
- Remove outdated records and confirm the correct provider is listed.
Frequently asked questions
What does MX priority mean?
Each MX record has a number called priority or preference. Sending servers try the lowest number first and move to higher numbers if it is unavailable. Records with the same number share the load. A backup server usually has a higher number than the main one, so it only receives mail when the primary server cannot be reached.
Can a domain have no MX record?
Yes. Without MX records, mail servers may fall back to the domain's A record, which rarely works as intended. A domain that should not receive email can publish a "null MX" record to state this clearly. This helps prevent misdirected mail and spoofing attempts.
My MX records are correct but email still fails. What next?
Check that the MX hostnames resolve to IP addresses, that SPF, DKIM and DMARC are set up for sending, and that the mailbox exists with your provider. Also check that no old MX records from a previous provider remain. Your provider's admin console may show more detail.