MX Lookup
Check DNS MX records for any domain
| Hostname | Priority |
What is the Purpose of an MX Record?
An MX record, or Mail Exchange record, is a type of DNS record that specifies the mail server responsible for receiving email messages for a particular domain.
When a user sends an email to an address within the domain, the MX record points the email to the correct mail server. MX records play an important role in email delivery and make sure email traffic is properly routed.
How to Lookup MX Records
MX lookup works differently across operating systems, so here are simple steps for 3 of the most common systems.
MX Records on Windows
- Open the Command Prompt.
- Type nslookup -type=mx <domain name> and press Enter.
This command will perform an MX record lookup and display the mail servers associated with your specified domain name.
MX Records on Mac
- Open Terminal.
- Run the command dig <domain name> MX.
This will show you the DNS MX records for the given domain. Mac OS makes it straightforward to find MX records.
MX Records on Linux
- Open Terminal.
- Type dig <domain name> MX.
Just like on Mac, this will display the DNS MX records for the domain in question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a domain have multiple MX records?
Yes, a domain can have multiple MX records. This is useful for load balancing and as a backup in case one mail server fails. Each record will have a different priority number to indicate the order in which they should be used.
What is MX preference?
MX preference, or priority, is a value assigned to an MX record to indicate its priority in the list of multiple MX records. A lower value signifies a higher priority, and the mail server with the lowest priority will be used first for incoming emails.
Can MX records point to an IP address directly?
No, MX records cannot point directly to an IP address. They must point to a canonical name, often a CNAME alias or an A/AAAA record. This provides the IP address of the mail server responsible for handling email for the domain.
Disposable Checker
Use our free disposable checker to see if a specific email domain provides temporary email addresses.
Open
Email Health Checker
Check DNS health of your email sending domain to ensure high email deliverability.
Open
Blacklist Checker
Check your email sending IP or domain against more than 100 real-time email blacklist servers.
Open
