MX Lookup
Find the mail servers (MX records) for a domain.
Enter a value above to run MX Lookup
e.g. example.com
Quick answer
An MX lookup shows which mail servers accept email for a domain. Each record lists a server hostname and a priority number, where the lowest number is tried first.
MX Lookup reveals which mail servers accept email for a domain. When someone sends a message to [email protected], their server queries the MX records of example.com to find where to deliver it. This tool returns those records along with their priority values, so you can confirm that mail is routed to the right hosts. It is the first thing to check when email fails to arrive, when you migrate to a new provider like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, or when you want to verify that a domain is set up to receive mail at all.
How it works
The tool queries the DNS system for the MX (Mail Exchanger) records published in the domain's zone. Each MX record contains a hostname and a preference number. Sending servers try the host with the lowest number first, then fall back to higher numbers if it is unavailable. Behind the scenes the mail hostnames resolve to A or AAAA records, which is why an MX record must point to a real hostname, never to an IP address or a CNAME.
How to read the results
Each row shows a priority and a target hostname. A lower priority number means higher precedence, so 10 is tried before 20. Equal priorities let servers load-balance across hosts. Google Workspace typically shows smtp.google.com, while Microsoft 365 uses a name ending in mail.protection.outlook.com. If the list is empty, the domain publishes no MX records and cannot receive mail through the standard route. Confirm the hostnames match exactly what your provider documented.
Common problems & fixes
A trailing-dot mistake or an MX pointing at a CNAME breaks delivery on strict servers. If you just changed records, remember DNS caches for the length of the TTL, so old servers may linger for hours. Missing MX records mean senders fall back to the domain's A record, which is rarely what you want. Duplicate or leftover records from a previous provider can cause mail to split or bounce; remove anything you no longer use.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the priority number mean?
- It sets the order in which sending servers attempt delivery. The lowest number has the highest priority and is tried first; higher numbers act as backups if the primary host does not respond. When two records share the same number, servers distribute connections between them roughly evenly, which spreads load across multiple mail hosts.
- Why does my domain show no MX records?
- Either none were ever created, or they were removed. Without MX records, some senders fall back to the domain's A record, but many will simply fail. If you use a hosted email provider, add the exact MX entries they supply. After saving, allow time for the change to propagate before testing delivery again.
- Can an MX record point to an IP address?
- No. The MX target must be a hostname that resolves via A or AAAA records, not a raw IP and not a CNAME. If you need to reference an IP directly, create an A record for a hostname such as mail.example.com first, then point the MX record at that hostname. Strict receivers reject non-compliant targets.