What is an MX record and why does it matter for email deliverability?

MX records are the backbone of your email delivery system. If they’re misconfigured, your emails won’t even leave the starting line, or worse, they’ll bounce, land in spam, or disappear entirely.

What you will find in this guide, it’s the explanation of what MX records are, why they’re critical for email deliverability, and especially how to make sure they’re set up correctly. Let’s get straight to the point!

What is an MX record?

An MX record (Mail Exchange record) is a critical part of the DNS system that directs emails to the correct mail server for your domain. It tells the internet where to deliver emails sent to your domain. Without a properly configured MX record, your emails won’t reach their destination—or worse, they’ll bounce.

An MX record is structured like this:

10 mail.example.com

Here, 10 is the priority value, and mail.example.com is the server handling your emails.

How MX record priority works ?

The priority number determines the order in which mail servers handle incoming emails. Lower numbers mean higher priority. For example:

• 10 mail.example.com (Primary server)
• 20 backup.example.com (Backup server)

In this setup, emails are routed to the primary server first. If it’s unavailable, emails are automatically sent to the backup server, in order to have an uninterrupted email flow.

Why MX records matter for email deliverability ?

Your MX records ensure that emails are routed to functioning, authorized mail servers. Misconfigured MX records can lead to failed deliveries, bounces, or even emails disappearing entirely. This directly affects your sender reputation and email deliverability.

Properly configured MX records are non-negotiable for keeping your emails landing where they belong: in the inbox!

For more tips, check our guide on how to improve your email deliverability

How to quickly find and verify your MX record ?

Finding your MX record is quite simple. Log in to your domain registrar or hosting provider dashboard, head to the DNS settings section, and look for the “MX” records in your list of DNS configurations. That’s where your email routing info lives.

To verify if your MX record is correctly set up, use a reliable DNS lookup tool like MXToolbox or Google Admin Toolbox. Enter your domain name, and these tools will instantly show your active MX records and their configurations.

Regular checks ensure your MX records are correct and prevent email routing issues that can cripple deliverability. Don’t leave it to chance and check them now!

Do I need an MX record for my domain?

If your domain is used for sending or receiving emails, the answer is simple: yes, you absolutely need an MX record. Without it, email servers won’t know where to deliver your emails, leading to delivery failures or bounced messages.

However, if your domain isn’t used for email (e.g., a domain solely for hosting a website or a landing page), an MX record isn’t required. In these cases, email routing isn’t relevant.

That said, if there’s even a chance you’ll send or receive emails from the domain—whether for communication, newsletters, or outreach: you need an MX record configured properly! Skipping it is asking for trouble.

Bottom line? If emails matter to your domain, you need an MX record to keep things running smoothly. It’s not optional, it’s essential.

How to setup MX records?

Setting up MX records is quick and essential to ensure your emails are delivered to the right server. Whether you're configuring a new domain or fixing an issue, follow these steps to get it done fast:

• Log in to your DNS provider: Access the control panel of your domain registrar or hosting provider where your DNS settings are managed.
• Go to DNS settings: Navigate to the DNS settings section and locate the MX records area. If you don’t see it, look for something like "Email Settings" or "Mail Exchange."
• Add or edit an MX record: Specify the mail server address (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com) and assign a priority value (lower numbers mean higher priority). Example: 10 mail.yourdomain.com and 20 backup.yourdomain.com  
• Save your changes: Confirm and save the configuration to apply the updates. It may take a few minutes for the changes to propagate across the DNS system.
• Test your configuration: Don’t hesitate to use tools like MXToolbox to verify your MX records are active and pointing to the correct mail server.

Common issues with MX records and how to fix them

MX record problems can cause your emails to bounce, get delayed, or disappear entirely. Here’s how to spot the most common issues and fix them fast:

• MX records pointing to a CNAME: MX records can’t point to a CNAME, as this causes delivery failures. So just fix it by pointing your MX record directly to an A or AAAA record with your mail server’s IP address. Example:
  Correct: 10 mail.yourdomain.com → A record 
  Incorrect: 10 mail.yourdomain.com → CNAME → anotherdomain.com  

• Messed-up priority values: Priorities tell servers which one to use first. If you mix them up, emails could get misrouted or delayed, so make sure your primary server has the lowest priority number, like this: 10 mail.primary.com / 20 mail.backup.com  
• Backup servers not properly configured: A backup server is useless if it’s not set up to handle emails when your primary server is down. The solution: double-check that your backup mirrors your primary server’s settings.
• Outdated server IPs: If your mail server’s IP address changes and your MX record isn’t updated, emails will fail. This means that you need to regularly audit your DNS records and update them as needed.
• Missing or misconfigured DNS entries: Missing or incorrect MX records are a common issue, so use tools like MXToolbox or Google Dig to verify your setup and catch mistakes.
• DNS propagation delays: After making changes to MX records, it can take up to 24 hours for DNS updates to fully propagate. Be patient, clear your local DNS cache, and test again.

If emails are critical to your business, make sure your MX records are rock solid. Regular checks and quick fixes can save you from delivery nightmares. Literally. 

How MailReach helps ensure email deliverability ?

MX records are essential for getting your emails delivered, but they’re just one part of the equation. If your sender reputation isn’t solid, even perfectly routed emails will end up in spam. That’s where MailReach steps in, and in a really effective way.

With MailReach’s email warm-up tool, you can build and maintain a strong reputation by simulating positive interactions across 20,000 real inboxes. This signals to providers like Google and Microsoft that you’re a trusted sender, ensuring your emails land where they belong, so in the inbox.

Whether you’re launching a new domain or fixing deliverability issues, MailReach optimizes your email performance by boosting engagement and gradually increasing sending volumes. Combine this with properly configured MX records, and you’ll have everything you need to maximize your email success. You’re welcome!

Start improving your email deliverability with MailReach today