Free MX Record Lookup
Check MX records for any domain to see which mail servers handle email delivery. This free MX record checker queries DNS over HTTPS to display mail server hostnames, priorities, and TTL values - all from your browser with no server required.
Understanding MX Records
MX (Mail Exchange) records are a type of DNS record that tells sending mail servers where to deliver email for a given domain. When someone sends an email to user@example.com, their mail server performs a DNS lookup for MX records on example.com to find the responsible mail servers.
Each MX record includes a priority value (also called preference). The server with the lowest priority number is tried first. If it is unavailable, the sender tries the next server in order. This system provides built-in redundancy for email delivery.
Example MX Record
example.com. IN MX 10 mail.example.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MX record?
MX (Mail Exchange) records are DNS records that specify which mail servers are responsible for receiving email on behalf of a domain. Each MX record includes a priority value that determines the order in which servers are tried when delivering mail.
What does MX record priority mean?
Lower priority numbers indicate higher preference. Mail is delivered to the server with the lowest priority number first. If that server is unavailable, the sending server tries the next lowest priority. For example, a server with priority 10 is tried before one with priority 20.
Why does my domain have no MX records?
There are a few possible reasons: the domain may not be configured to receive email, there could be a DNS misconfiguration, or the domain may use a Null MX record (RFC 7505) to explicitly indicate it does not accept email.
What happens if all MX servers are down?
When all MX servers are unreachable, the sending mail server will queue the message and retry delivery according to its retry policy. Most servers retry for up to 5 days before generating a bounce notification back to the sender.
Can an MX record point to an IP address?
No. RFC 5321 requires MX records to point to hostnames, not IP addresses. The hostname specified in the MX record is then resolved to an IP address through separate A or AAAA DNS records.
How do I fix MX record issues?
Update your domain's DNS settings through your DNS provider or domain registrar. Add or correct MX records to point to your mail server hostnames with appropriate priority values. Changes typically propagate within minutes to hours depending on TTL values.